2012 Le Mans Preview: Inside Audi's R18 e-tron quattro & Toyota's TS030 Hybrid

Go behind the scenes with Audi Sport drivers Allen McNish and Tom Kristensen, plus Toyota Motorsport GmbH driver Alexander Wurz before the 24 Hours of Le Mans for an inside look at the super-fast hybrid race cars they are piloting. Can a hybrid really win at Le Mans? Find out why all indications point to yes as the engineers and technical directors also weigh in.

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• Category

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• Starring:

  • Guest Star: Sam Posey
  • Road & Track editors

• Produced by:

  • Car and Driver
  • Road and Track

[staigerdgremak]

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[MrGeorgepppo]

i believe toyota will make it very well :-) since i got my starlet GT i am in love with toyota cars.

[kaare1992]

Nice! Does it come with a new set of viruses too?

Or do they just fraud me for all my cash?

[khristian49]

 Hybrid turbo car's.

[MrFalconfly]

Unfair rule?

The pertol is allowed more fuel on board and can rev much higher than the diesel.

Engine size shouldn't even matter (especially not when the SINGLE turbo V6 in the Audi is air restricted).

Sure the Audi has a slightly larger engine and a SINGLE turbo. But the Toyota has more cylinders and more fuel.

Now why if you think it's unfair didn't the Toyota guys go with the formula that would've worked "according to the unfair rules"?

[DtorBillAgain]

The supercapacitator and Toyota's motors were restricted compared to what was expected (the same as the Supra Hybrid), otherwise Audi couldn't even see a Toyota. Toyota is the BEST

[dnnswlvs]

hmmm.... let's see who is cheating.

3400cc natural aspiration vs 3700cc twin turbo.

both get the same horsepower, the 3400cc one gets less torque, but the turbo one gets much more torque (although it has air restriction). Yeah, Audi & Porsche (VW Group exactly) have an absolute authority in Le Mans, make an unfair rule, make a biased racing environment, make other teams suffer.

Let's see if Toyota is allowed to increased the engine volume to 3700cc, it's enough to beat the cheater.

[danyrapid01]

Audi's are the kings at Le Mans, but let's not forget that Toyota where champions at Le Mans before Audi. I think that Toyota will do much better in 2013 if they get rid of the bad luck that they had in 2012. Anyway, we need a change in this race, a new winner :) . It's lame to have the same winner every year. God, I miss the 50's and 60's.

[1988Carlsberg]

Audi without any doubt are mighty in Le Mans, but I do hope Toyota stick around for a deceit amount of time. Also it would be great if Nissan and Peugeot will make a return soon too. Glad Porsche are returning in 2014.

[hunker8]

lets get this stright guys, first of all if toyota had same fuel tank as audi than they never had a chance, second - if Audi been able to use they hybrid sistem any time they want and not above 120km/h, than also toyota never had a chance, third- diesel has some engine restrictions also(something with its air infake or something) and thats makes its weaker than its actualy can do, so if we take all this 3 thinks in a count TOYOTA simplay has no chance against Audi....