Audi R15 TDI

The Audi R15 TDI is a Le Mans Prototype racing car built by Audi as the successor to the R10 TDI. Like the R10 it used a turbocharged diesel engine, but its 5.5 litre V10 was physically smaller than the earlier V12 and sat further toward the middle of the car, giving a more neutral weight balance and better agility in corners. The engine was rated at over 440 kW (600 PS) with 1,050 N m of torque, and the car introduced a lithium-ion battery for Audi sports prototypes, LED headlights and LED rear lights on the wing endplates. It was first tested in December 2008 and made its race debut by winning the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring. At the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi ended its five win streak when Peugeot took the top two places and an R15 finished third. Audi updated it for 2010 as the R15 TDI Plus.