Skip advert
Advertisement
Videos

Audi R18 e-tron quattro on track | INSIDE evo

Watch Richard Meaden drive the 2014 Le Mans winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro on track at Misano in Italy

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that before Audi could say ‘want to drive our R18 e-tron qua...’ Richard Meaden had already tied the laces of his race boots.

Flown over to Misano in Italy and faced with the bug and oil splattered 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner, Meaden is shoehorned into the carbon safety-celled LMP1 R18 e-tron quattro Audi, belts fastened and then left to sample over 800bhp of hybrid-diesel racing car. He has just four laps – an out lap, two flying, and then an in lap – to take what he can from the experience. But what an experience. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The number 2 R18 e-tron quattro took part in one of the most exciting Le Mans races in its 82-year history. Rather than dominating like some of its predecessors, its drivers - André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyer – had to fight hard for the victory. And with similarly advanced competition coming from Porsche and Toyota (with whom our own Anthony Davidson won the 2014 WEC title), the race was never going to be easy. That's what makes this dirty race winner so special.

Having won thirteen 24 Hours of Le Mans races from the last fifteen years, Audi’s latest R18 racer is unsurprisingly one of the most advanced four-wheeled machines on the planet. Watch the video above to join Meaden wrestle with big slick tyres and massive levels of downforce on an empty international race circuit, all from behind the wheel of a true legend of modern motorsport.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi has already sold part of its F1 team
Audi F1
News

Audi has already sold part of its F1 team

A Qatari sovereign wealth fund is set to take a c30 per cent stake in Audi’s Formula 1 team, which will line up on the grid in 2026
29 Nov 2024
Audi Q6 e-tron 2024 review – a calling card for future Audi EVs
Audi Q6 e-tron – front
Reviews

Audi Q6 e-tron 2024 review – a calling card for future Audi EVs

Audi’s new Q6 e-tron debuts the firm’s PPE architecture, which will go on to underpin its future EVs. Is it a worthy alternative to the Porsche Macan?…
20 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs
Volkswagen Passat front
Reviews

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs

Being ‘only’ 1500kg has its advantages. The latest Passat in petrol-only form reminds us ‘normal’ cars can and should be above average
16 Apr 2025
Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name
Vauxhall Astra GSE
Opinion

Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name

It’s time to reassess a perennially underrated hatchback, says Porter
17 Apr 2025
Giant all-wheel-drive test makes for gripping visuals – car pictures of the week
All-wheel-drive test – Lamborghini, Porsche and Bentley
Features

Giant all-wheel-drive test makes for gripping visuals – car pictures of the week

In issue 333 of evo, seven traction-unlimited titans come together, allowing us to explore the virtues of modern all-wheel-drive systems
20 Apr 2025