Audi's dominating R10 TDi racecars may leave the American LeMans series because of a rule change by the organizers. Although ALMS nominally uses the rules defined by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for the 24 Hours of LeMans, they do occasionally tweak minimum weights, and air restrictor sizes to help even out the competition. The ALMS has increased the restrictor size for LMP2 class cars this year to allow them to compete better with LMP1 cars, which includes the R10.

Since Audi is planning to run the R10s on a special biodiesel fuel this year, it would be a shame if they decided to quit the series because of this change, especially since the gasoline powered ALMS cars will begin using an ethanol blend this year. Hopefully, Audi will take it in stride and continue demonstrating what can be done with diesel engines to race fans all across America.

[Source: ProjectLemans.de via GermanCarBlog]

Audi's Ingolstadt brand, which is providing the chauffeur service at the World Economic Forum (WEF), is running part of its Audi A8 fleet on emissions-friendly SynFuel diesel fuel. SynFuel, which is produced synthetically from natural gas, is crystal-clear and free of sulphur and aromatics. Particulates are reduced by 35 percent over regular diesel and carbon monoxide emissions are virtually erased via a massive 93 percent reduction. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are also slightly reduced.

SynFuel is a direct substitute for diesel and is being used in ten of the 80 Audi long-wheelbase quattro A8 TDI vehicles being used to chauffeur WEF participants around in. Remarkable for such huge cars, they use just 9.4 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres / 25 mpg.

Audi has already stress-tested SynFuel at the Le Mans 24 Hour race last year when its all-conquering Audi R10 diesel racecar was filled with a special diesel fuel which consisted largely of SynFuel. This was the first time a diesel-powered racing car had won this significant motor-racing event.

Analysis: A diesel car running SynFuel is a remarkably low-emissions vehicle while still providing the power and performance that consumers demand in a modern motor. I'd be more than happy to drive around an A8 running it.

Full press release after the jump.

Related:

• Audi engineer discusses V12 diesels, both race and street
• Peugot diesel LeMans racer hits the track
• Detroit Motor Show: Audi Q7 V12 TDI with photo gallery

[Source: Audi]

Peugeot's new diesel powered LeMans racer hit the pavement at the Paul Ricard circuit in France last week and video is now available on YouTube. Peugeot will be running two of these torque monsters against the Audi R10s at the LeMans this June. Check out the new car in all its tail-wagging, bare carbon fiber glory by clicking above.

[Source: YouTube]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res testing pics of the 908 HDi

Peugeot first showed off their new diesel powered LeMans challenger at the Paris Motor Show last September. This June they will we taking on the totally dominant Audi R10s at le Sarthe and it should make for an exciting show. The first track testing photos of the new 908 HDi in raw carbon fiber with a few sponsor stickers at the Paul Ricard circuit in France were just revealed. Peugeot also announced the addition of ChampCar veteran Sebastien Bourdais and former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve to the driving lineup for the two cars running at LeMans. The drive to get the best possible mileage while maintaining performance is continuing to demonstrate that efficiency and speed are not mutually incompatible.



[Source: Peugeot via AutoBlog]

• Audi R10 racer to attack LeMans on biodesiel
• Audi Q7: the world's most powerful diesel passenger car
• AutoBild drives the Audi R10
  

[Source: jalopnik.com]

Hey Audi! Some of us here at AutoBlogGreen like to drive Insanely fast cars too! A lucky writer from the German magazine AutoBild recently got the chance to sample the undefeated Audi R10. Based on the rough translation courtesy of Google, apart from the fenders, sitting in the car feels like a formula one car. Apparently launching this immensely powerful machine is pretty tame even from 1500 rpm thanks to the 1100 Nm of torque. Follow the link to check out the article and more pics. Oh, and if Audi needs anybody to write up an evaluation of the R10 in English, you know where to find me.

[Source: GermanCarBlog]

Audi, which has been winning races with their diesel powered R10 race car, has decided to attempt the next Le Mans race on biodiesel. Audi and VW are hoping that their racing successes will transition to additional knowledge on biofuel vehicles to be produced for public consumption.

The biofuel that they will be using is not exactly the same as the biodiesel that many home consumers are using, which in many cases is simply slightly refined restaurant grease. Audi is teaming up with Shell, a sponsor of the group creating the biomass-derived fuel, and team sponsor of Audi's racing efforts. The fuel is apparently a synthetic derivative of oils found in various plant life.

With Audi's recent successes with running diesel in the R10, and with competition coming soon from other manufacturers running diesel engines in their race vehicles it should be interesting to see how this pans out. Stay tuned!

[Source: jalopnik.com]

Admitting they didn't have the fastest car in the field, Audi drivers Dindo Capello and Allan McNish relied on the fuel economy of their diesel-powered R10 to win the season-ending American Le Mans race at Laguna Seca over the weekend. The team moved into the lead when early front-runners had to pit. After recovering from stop-and-go penalty for causing an accident, the team pitted with a third of the race remaining, hoping the engine's fuel economy would go the distance. The Audi regained the lead when the rest of the field had to pit for the last time and ended up racing for 90 minutes on one tank of diesel fuel. Audi has won every race this season.

[Source: crash.net]