A judging panel for the magazine Race Engine Technology has awarded Audi Sport the ‘Race Engine of the Year’ accolade for its avant-garde V6 TDI powerplant.
The extremely compact 3.7 L V6 TDI unit develops more than 397 kW (540 hp) and was instrumental in providing Audi with its tenth 24 Hours of Le Mans title last year.
The 120 degree V6 TDI is 25 per cent lighter than the V10 TDI engine previously seen in the older R15 TDI and uses one – rather than two – turbochargers. Developed jointly with Garrett, the ‘charger sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the roof-mounted air scoop.
“Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car – especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity,” explained Audi Motorsport’s Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.
[Source: Audi Motorsport]
