Audi R15 TDI: Video of Sebring battle against Peugeot

For all who missed this weekend's Sebring race in TV, this is a must see: the Audi R15 TDI battling against Peugeot for pole position!

Audi R15 TDI Victorious in 12 Hours of Sebring

Audi finished the 12-hour endurance race only 22.279 seconds ahead of arch-rival Peugeot, having covered 1,417.10 miles (2267 km) in total

The Audi Sport Team Joest's two Audi R15 TDI's, raced by drivers Dindo Capello of Italy, Tom Krisentsen of Denmark, and Scotsman Allan McNish won the race at the Sebring circuit in Florida with a record distance run, finishing 383 laps, 13 more than the previous best.

The win didn't come easy, with Audi competing fiercely with the two Peugeot 908 diesels, the lead changing more than a dozen times between them. Audi finished the 12-hour marathon race only 22.279 seconds ahead of Peugeot, having covered 1,417.10 miles (2267 km).

The heated competition between the two diesel racing cars likely now solidifies the status of diesels in endurance races. Audi Sport has reigned over the past couple of races at the 24-hour LeMans circuit with its previous R10 TDI. This June, Audi Sport Team Joest will race there with 3 R15 TDI's and is considered a favorite to win.

Acura Scores Surprise Pole in Sebring Beating Favorites Audi and Peugeot

Former Indy 500 and IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon took pole position for this weekend's 12 Hours of Sebring using the new Acura ARX-02a race car. Dixon's last qualifying lap was his best, as he sped around the track in 1:45.278 at an average speed of 126.522 mph.

Impressively, Dixon beat out Tom Kristensen, in the new Audi prototype R15 TDI turbodiesel. Nic Minassian took third in the field of eight, driving a Peugeot. Driver Adrian Fernandez beat out the other two LMP2 vehicles to take the top qualifying spot for that class. Fernandez is also using an Acura, which marks the first time since 2005 that one company's vehicle has taken both the LMP1 and LMP2 class pole positions in the same event.

Only two GT1 vehicles will be run, both Corvettes, while as many as 15 entries will see track time in the GT2 class. This includes the return of the BMW M3. Two drivers will pilot M3s for the Rahal Letterman team.



The 57th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring will begin 10:30am (Florida time) on Saturday, with Dixon behind the wheel of the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 ARX-02a. Sebring is the first race on the 2009 American Le Mans Series calendar.

Audi R15 TDI Officially Launched

Audi's Le Mans 24 Hours competitors will be scrutinising the new R15 TDI as closely as they can after Audi officially unveiled it. Because the German automaker has been dominating that race for some time now when it releases a new challenger to the Le Mans grid everyone takes notice. After all, how many other manufacturers can boast a win at Le Mans 24 Hour using a diesel-powered car? None.




Several technical adjustments have been made on the R15 TDI which were previously not available in the all-conquering R10 TDI. Such adjustments include a lighter, more compact V10 TDI engine with new diesel particle filters that improve fuel consumption while reducing C02 emissions. The turbo and fuel injection systems have received the engineers' attention which result in a better engine response. Aerodynamics are said to be much improved too from the preceding cars.

Audi says the new R15 TDI pushes out more than 600hp (441kW) and maximum torque peaks at above 1,050Nm.

"The R15 TDI has many detailed technical solutions never seen before on a sports prototype," said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. "To a certain extent we followed entirely new routes."

A new electrical system for the series is being utilised by Audi. It is primarily based on a lithium-ion battery which was chosen for its lightness and better power output than conventional batteries. The Audi-synonymous low-beam LED lights will be seen for the first time in the R15 TDI as well.