The 4.0 l V6 TDI Engine for the 24 hrs of Le Mans – Victory of Efficiency

Authors

Dipl.-Ing. U. Baretzky, Dipl.-Ing. H. Diel, Dipl.-Ing. W. Kotauschek, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) S. Dreyer, AUDI AG, Neckarsulm / Ingolstadt

Year

2018

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Series 12, No 807

Summary

Following the introduction in 2014 of new energy based regulations for the 24 h of Le Mans, it was possible to fully exploit the efficiency potential of Audi’s newly developed 4 l V6 TDI diesel engine. The combination of intelligent lightweight design, optimised application of material and innovative technologies helped this engine to achieve many records that serve as benchmark for the potential of the diesel engine. The engine is very efficient thanks to the combustion process being consistently developed for efficiency, which in turn even permits using CO2 neutral fuel without efficiency losses. As a result, since the V12 TDI engine’s historical first victory in 2006 further generations of diesel engines were created over the following decade.
Victory in the first 24 h race after introduction of the new regulations confirmed impressively once again AUDI’s motto “Vorsprung durch Technik” also with regard to the environment.