Audi has set a new record time on the Sachsenring for cars with a diesel engine. The Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept rounded the 3.6 km (2.2 mi) race course in a time of 1 minute 35.35 seconds. The technology platform draws its power from a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo TDI with 320 kW (435 hp) of power and 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft) of torque. The highlight is an electrically driven compressor.
The record time was set by race car driver Nicki Thiim as part of Sachsenring Record Day, which was organized by “Auto Bild Sportscars” magazine and the tire manufacturer Michelin. The Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept beat the record time for diesel cars by 1.87 seconds with a time of 1 minute 35.35 seconds; the old record was set in February 2015. In spring 2015, “sport auto” magazine tested the Audi technology platform on the Hockenheimring, and it posted the best lap time in the magazine’s history for a car with a diesel engine.
“I am proud of the excellent performance on the race tracks, because it underscores the leadership claim of Audi in the development of highly efficient and sporty diesel engines,” says Ulrich Weiß, Head of TDI Engines Development at AUDI AG. “We really pulled out all of the stops in developing the Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept – in its lightweight design, chassis and of course its drive system. We exploit the full power potential of the TDI and supplement it with the added thrust of the electric compressor, which we will soon see in a production car model.”
The Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept is based on a technical concept car that we presented in summer 2014 on the 25th anniversary of the TDI engine. Since then, the car was further developed in all disciplines for racetrack duty. The car’s 3.0 TDI biturbo is power boosted to 320 kW (435 hp). Its maximum torque rose to 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft). Based on this power, the Sport TDI accelerates to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 4.0 seconds and to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) in less than 16 seconds.
2015 Audi RS5 TDI Competition Concept
Source: Audi