After previously confirming that they will stick to turbocharging technology for the 3.7 liter V6 that will power the new R18 prototype in the June event, the guys at Audi have now given us some more valuable information on the technological updates that come with it.
In addition to the fact that the new unit will be 25 percent lighter than the V10 TDI previously used in the R15 TDI predecessor, it will also be coupled to a single turbocharger that “sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the air scoop mounted on the roof,” as shown in a recent statement from Audi.
The mono-turbo concept - looked into from as early as 2009 - was the result of a joint development work put in by Audi and Garrett, and uses the variable turbine geometry (VTG) previously present in last year's winning R15 TDI prototype. As a logical consequence of the single turbocharger scheme, the R18 TDI will feature a single exhaust pipe “that exits at the rear of the R18 TDI below the new fin.”
“To lower the center of gravity as much as possible and to improve airflow through the car, the exhaust manifolds were migrated from the left and right hand sides of the engine to sit between the two cylinder banks,” Audi went on, explaining their innovatory “Hot side inside” concept.
Finally, the R18 TDI will also feature a newly-developed cooling system for the cylinder heads, aimed at controling the enormous ignition pressures and loads now only distributed between six cylinders. Also, thanks to the compact engine and uncluttered flanks, the airflow from the coolers can now exit practically unobstructed through the rear end to “increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the car.”
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