Hybrids to compete at Le Mans

In anticipation of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, I thought it worthwhile to visit the camps entering hybrids and give you a glimpse of what to expect. Who knows, it may even entice you attend to this truly unique race, scheduled to take place June 16-17.

Audi R18 E-tron Quatro
Some say the folk at Ingolstadt have gone mad! That is the only way to describe the reasoning behind turning an Audi R18 into this diesel hybrid AWD endurance race car, named Audi R18 E-tron Quattro. This diesel-electric hybrid system couples the car's usual TDI engine in the rear powering the rear wheels with electric motors up front powering the front wheels.

The brilliance of this design is that the R18 grabs kinetic energy from braking and feeds it into the so-called "flywheel accumulator" and puts it out through the front with electric motors. Those fervent Porsche followers may recognize this system, as it similar to a system tested on the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

Toyota Le Mans Hybrid Prototype:
It will go "mano a mano" with the R18 E-tron Quatro. We have yet to get more info on the new 'Yota's power-train and configuration, but one thing is certain. This time around Toyota means business. "Toyota Motor Corp has entered Le Mans before but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge," stated Toyota Motorsports chairman Tadashi Yamashina.

Tweeted pict by Toyota early January

Peugeot
Earlier in the year, Peugeot announced it was pulling out of Le Mans, due to the difficult economic environment in Europe as it concentrates its resources on it sales performance in 2012.
So there is hope for 2013?

For more info on the Le Mans race, please click here.

Source: Jalopnic