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Mild hybrid technology, the digital operating concept and the optional HD Matrix LED headlights including laser light are just some of its highlights. Pictures Videos

In 2014, the brand with the four rings will be running with laser light for the first time in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). “By using this new lighting technology Audi is setting yet another milestone at Le Mans,” said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board for Technical Development of AUDI AG, at the official presentation of the new R18 e-tron quattro that took place as part of the ‘Audi Sport Finale.’ Laser light will also open up completely new possibilities for our production models in the future. Once more, motorsport at Audi accelerates a new technical development for our customers.” The innovative laser light, which about 500 guests in attendance at the ‘Audi Sport Finale’ had the chance to experience live for the first time, complements the main LED headlights of the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro. A blue laser beam backlights a yellow phosphorus crystal lens through which the light beam is then emitted. This new light source provides even more homogenous lighting of the road. Laser light just one of numerous innovations of the new R18 “The new laser light is just one of numerous technical innovations featured by our new R18,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who was recognized by Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg on Wednesday night on the occasion of his 20th anniversary at the helm of Audi Sport. “We’re not going to reveal any more than that at this early stage, as in 2014 we’re facing an extremely tough competition and a year full of challenges for Audi Sport.” As before, the motorsport commitment of AUDI AG in the new season will continue to consist of the three pillars Le Mans prototypes (LMP1), DTM and GT sport. In addition, Audi Sport is preparing for its move into the new Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg in the summer of 2014.

Beginning of 2013: Decision that the new R18 will be running with laser light – a technology which Audi’s production development has been researching for years and in which it is ahead of the competition. March 2013: Production of the first components for the new R18, followed shortly afterwards by initial component tests on test rigs and the race track. June 2013: On the test day at Le Mans, we gather important data with the slimmer tires specified as of 2014 for our tire partner Michelin, using a fourth R18 with test driver Marco Bonanomi. There are no other testing opportunities available at the Le Mans race track. June 2013: Shortly before the race at Le Mans, the new V6 TDI engine for the 2014-specification R18 is run on the dyno in Neckarsulm for the first time July 2013: Start of the simulator tests – in parallel to the real-word race car, Audi continues to develop the virtual version of the R18. September 2013: Assembly of the first test prototype (chassis number 401). October 8, 2013: A special day in any race car project: the roll-out on the race track. In this case, it is Le Castellet in the south of France. Lucas di Grassi is at the wheel before Oliver Jarvis takes over driving duties. On the following days, the main focus is placed on checking the functionality of all the components of the new R18. December 8, 2013: The first photograph of the new R18 is published. Track tests at Sebring, Florida, start the next day. All new Audi prototypes have had to prove their viability on this track that is rough on the vehicles’ technology. It is particularly well suited to identifying weak points. December 18, 2013: At the Audi Sport Finale in Ingolstadt, the new R18 celebrates its world premiere. Allan McNish and Loïc Duval present the car on stage, with Tom Kristensen at the wheel. At the same time, Audi showcases laser light as the latest innovation in automotive lighting technology.

In addition to the powerful design, the Audi Q7 features HD matrix LED headlights including laser light, active roll stabilization, efficiency-increasing mild hybrid technology, and the digital operating concept MMI touch response. As the top model of its product line, the Audi SQ7 with its powerful V8 diesel presents itself in a new form. It will be introduced to the European market in mid-September. The base price for the Audi Q7 in Germany will be EUR 66,900. Combined fuel consumption l/100 km: 9.1 – 6.6; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 208 – 174 Information on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions as well as efficiency classes in ranges depending on the tires and alloy wheel rims used. Audi Q7 Audi SQ7 TDI

More powerful: new design with clear SUV characteristics and prestige factor More dynamic: active roll stabilization, air suspension and all-wheel steering More cutting edge: touch operating concept, HD Matrix laser light and 48-volt mild hybridThe Audi Q7 is getting an all-round update – both visually and technically. The large SUV features the new design of the Q family and offers superb dynamics and excellent comfort, in addition to its superior spaciousness. HD Matrix LED headlights including laser light, the mild hybrid technology and the digital operating concept are just some of its highlights. The new Audi Q7 will be launched in Europe in mid September. Prices in Germany start at 66,900 euros. Robust look: the exterior design The Audi Q7 demonstrates the hallmark SUV elements of the current design language. It bears the large octagon-shaped Singleframe, with six upright slats providing the structure. As such, the SUV looks even more powerful. The two-part side air inlets have a much more expressive line, just like the sill area that underscores the large SUV’s ground clearance and, in turn, its offroad capabilities. The headlights, optionally in HD Matrix LED technology with Audi laser light, emphasize with their contour and light signature the width of the full-size model. On the restyled rear, a striking chrome strip creates the visual connection between the flat rear lights with their technical-looking graphics and carries forward the horizontal body line. The designers achieved the clear view with taut, flat surfaces, which span the entire width particularly in the license plate region.

“The comprehensive range of new technical developments of our current Le Mans race car includes the headlights with laser light. They illuminate the track for a distance of up to 800 meters. In a planned derivation for production vehicles, they achieve up to 500 meters, which is twice the range of LED headlights. With that, Audi is making an important contribution to safety on the track and in road traffic.” Advanced engine technologies for maximum efficiency In 2001, an innovative V8 engine powered the Audi R8. TFSI gasoline direct injection metered the fuel in a way that reduced the consumption of the V8 turbo power-plant, improved responsiveness and, due to the engine’s ability to immediately start again, shortened the stopping times in the pits while making more power output available. Just shortly following the first Le Mans success, Audi’s customers were able to order the first production models featuring gasoline direct injection. This fuel induction principle soon evolved into the standard in large-volume production series. Today, TFSI engines contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in millions of cars. Five years after this debut, Audi showed another pioneering achievement. In the 2006 season, the Audi R10 TDI powered by a direct-injection diesel engine won the endurance classic at La Sarthe right on its first run. Winning Le Mans with a diesel-powered race car had been considered wishful thinking until then – today, it is regular reality.

The lighting units feature Matrix LED technology combined with Audi Laserlight – two innovations that improve active safety in road traffic and that Audi customers can now order for their production models as well. While Audi has adopted the monocoque – the central safety cell of the race car – from the previous model, the hood with the front wing and wheel arches features a new design. As this body element incorporates the crash structure, Audi performed a new crash test for the 2015 season. Modified airflow through the sidepods with new radiator configurations for cooling the engine and the hybrid system further optimizes aerodynamic drag. The engine cover, which encloses the unit even more tightly and notably tapers off behind the cockpit, contributes to this as well. This year, Audi is again preparing two body versions for the various tracks on the FIA WEC calendar. In combination with an optimized chassis and in close cooperation with tire partner Michelin, Audi has further improved the performance potential of its sports prototype this way. Hybrid pioneer Audi is taking the next step in the area of energy recovery as well. The company is the only manufacturer to date to have won the Le Mans 24 Hours with hybrid sports cars. Since 2012, the R18 e-tron quattro has been unbeaten in the French endurance classic. For this year, the engineers have doubled the amount of energy from 2 to 4 megajoules per race lap at Le Mans. During braking, energy is recovered which the system subsequently feeds back to the front axle on acceleration. The electrical machine that performs this task now delivers an output of more than 200 kW (272 hp), which is a significant increase compared to last year. Therefore, Audi has increased the capacity of the energy storage system as well.

All nine Audi drivers completed the prescribed night laps on which they again had the opportunity to experience the advantages of the Audi laser light. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the first Le Mans prototype with laser light and continues Audi’s string of technical innovations in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The night before the race, the brand with the four rings will also be presenting its first production model with laser light at Le Mans: the Audi R8 LMX. The two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso will be sending the field at Le Mans on the long journey twice around the clock on Saturday at 15.00. The world’s most important endurance race will be broadcast live by 31 TV channels and aired in 190 countries. In Europe, Eurosport will provide live non-stop coverage. On www.audi-motorsport.com, Audi offers free coverage by live streaming from the onboard cameras of the three Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars from 14.30 (CEST) on Saturday. On Facebook and Twitter, Audi Sport will provide extensive live reports from Le Mans as well. With twelve wins in only 15 runs Audi is the most successful brand in recent Le Mans history. The top five in qualifying on the 13.629-kilometer race track were separated by less than 1.5 seconds. As a result, suspense before the race which some 300,000 spectators are expected to attend is huge. More than 1,000 members of the media – some of them several days ago – have arrived at the venue to watch the first meeting of the two most successful brands in Le Mans history – Audi and Porsche. Quotes after qualifying Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “For us, it was important to put the three cars on the grid prepared as best we could despite the serious accident on Wednesday. Although there was another minor accident with our car No. 1 on Thursday, we managed to do this well. Afterwards, we fully concentrated on the optimal race set-up and have now created a good starting base for all three teams.”