2012 24h Le Mans...technological showcase - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tbomachines · #1 06-13-2012, 04:35 PM

There are a number of very interesting cars racing in Le Mans this year! Last year was incredibly exciting partially due to the Audi saga, but this year is going to have some debuting new technology which nerd like me get excited about.

First is the Audi R18. It is a diesel hybrid (Yes, you read that correctly!!) piloted by Audi's legendary 24h racing team.

They also have a traditional diesel entry in their normal R-18.

There's also Toyota with a hybrid, which they expect will be very competitive

But it's just a Prius with a couple spoilers, right?

Then there's the Nissan DeltaWing...which has to be my personal favorite just because it is so weird and unconventional.

Anyone else excited for this weekend?

t walgamuth · #2 06-13-2012, 04:40 PM

I'll be especially interested to see what the delta wing does. It seems so counterintuitive.

It is interesting that it has been floating out there for a couple of years and there are no published lap times out there. I read an article on it recently and the drivers said things like.."It does not lean at all. It seemed to corner competitively".

I'll be impressed if it is in any way competitive with cars with similar engines.

engatwork · #3 06-13-2012, 04:50 PM

This old fart likes tradition

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It is going to be interesting to see how the delta wing does. Diesel/hybrid - railroads have been doing it for years

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tbomachines · #4 06-13-2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

This old fart likes tradition

.

It is going to be interesting to see how the delta wing does. Diesel/hybrid - railroads have been doing it for years

.

It's not a diesel electric though, the R18 is more like a KERS system

Pooka · #5 06-13-2012, 04:53 PM

I wonder if the headlights on the rear fenders give the Nissan driver a better view of the road?

Is this a glimpse of a future application of high beams?

Pooka · #6 06-13-2012, 04:59 PM

I am doing a bit of guessing here, but....

If the AUDI's driven wheels, and I am guessing they are all driven, are powered by electric motors would not this give the AUDI more off the line thrust since almost all of the torque in an electric motor is available at even the lowest RPM?

If so this could really help during passing.

By the way, Tiger Tanks were driven in this manner. Old Man Porsche was a big advocate of an electric motor at each driven wheel.

tbomachines · #7 06-13-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

I am doing a bit of guessing here, but....

If the AUDI's driven wheels, and I am guessing they are all driven, are powered by electric motors would not this give the AUDI more off the line thrust since almost all of the torque in an electric motor is available at even the lowest RPM?

If so this could really help during passing.

By the way, Tiger Tanks were driven in this manner. Old Man Porsche was a big advocate of an electric motor at each driven wheel.

IIRC only the front wheels are from electric motors, the rears are driven by the diesel engine/trans. It should give it a nice advantage out of the corners and even the extra power will come in handy on the straights. Unlike F1, I don't think there are any KERS regulations in LM so they should be free to use the extra power whenever they have it charged enough (i.e. after braking every corner). Since Circuit de la Sarthe has been slowed down a bit in recent years (chicanes added along the main straight), that will help too.

Kuan · #8 06-13-2012, 06:52 PM

Man, gone are the days when you just put a stronger spring on the wastegate if 2.5 bar was just, not, quite, enough.

MTI · #9 06-13-2012, 07:03 PM

The Nissan wing had a mishap with a fire extinguisher going off by accident during qualifying. Is the 911 GT3-R Hybrid running, or just the gas powered?

t walgamuth · #10 06-13-2012, 07:24 PM

I believe I read the audi electric boost is only allowed by rule above 74 mph. (so mostly negated I expect). I believe they are also using a wheel somehow to store energy.

engatwork · #11 06-13-2012, 07:26 PM

The thing about electric is you have 100% torque RIGHT NOW.

Hatterasguy · #12 06-13-2012, 09:21 PM

On a side note I think NASCAR just figured out how to use fuel injection in the past year or two, but not real fuel injection just throttle body.

Botnst · #13 06-13-2012, 09:47 PM

I ain't paid attention to Le Mans since the French changed the rules to prevent Ford from winning.

t walgamuth · #14 06-13-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

I ain't paid attention to Le Mans since the French changed the rules to prevent Ford from winning.

Actually after they reduced the displacement to a max of 3 liters, john wyer won three more times with the ancient GT40s running 3 liter ford f1 engines.