Audi is using its R10 TDI racers as its poster car for diesel technology. The automaker is starting by commemorating the R10 TDI’s historical win at Le Mans with a special A6 Le Mans Edition package with more than £2,300 in options but for a premium of just £115.

Based on the A6 3.0 TDI quattro S-line, the Le Mans Edition features 19-inch, 7-arm double spoke alloy wheels and a metallic or pearl effect paint. The interior features the Luxury Pack option that adds Volterra leather upholstery, heated sports seats, rear acoustic parking and upgraded interior lights using LED technology. The Le Mans Edition includes the S-line’s sports suspension lowered by 30mm, an upgraded braking system, and S-line interior features and trim.

The A6 Le Mans Edition is powered by the 3.0L V6 TDI that produces 229-hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering 0-62mph acceleration in 6.9 seconds and eventually a top speed of 153 mph, yet delivers 35.3 mpg.

Audi will only build 1,000 right-hand drive vehicles in both Saloon and Avant, at prices starting at £34,575 for the sedan and £35,845 for the wagon. The first deliveries of the A6 Le Mans Edition are expected in September.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Audi ##

Press Release:

AUDI A6 LE MANS EDITION COMMEMORATES MILESTONE TDI RACE WIN

Exclusive limited edition A6 3.0 TDI quattro model celebrates first ever Le Mans victory for the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI

* Commemorative version of A6 3.0 TDI quattro limited to 1,000 right-hand-drive examples
* Now available to order in Saloon and Avant forms priced at £34,575 OTR and £35,845 respectively. First deliveries expected in September
* Based on performance-oriented A6 S line specification, and adds 19-inch alloy wheels, Luxury Pack including full leather upholstery and unique paint colour schemes

The spoils of a milestone victory for Audi TDI power in the 2006 Le Mans 24-hour marathon race can now be enjoyed in the new limited edition A6 Le Mans Edition, a commemorative version of the potent A6 3.0 TDI quattro boasting a unique and especially lavish specification for a price premium of just £115. Restricted to just 1,000 right-hand-drive examples, the new A6 3.0 TDI quattro Le Mans Edition is now available in Saloon and Avant forms priced at £34,575 OTR and £35,845 OTR respectively.

To mark the moment when Le Mans was conquered by diesel power for the first time in its 74-year history in the Audi R10 TDI sports prototype, this new special edition model has appropriately been based on the sporting S line version of the A6 3.0 TDI quattro. The already striking S line specification, which includes exclusive S line front and rear body styling, is further enhanced externally in the A6 Le Mans Edition by 19-inch 7-arm double spoke alloy wheels adopted from the RS 4 quattro and standard metallic or pearl effect paint. Inside, the addition of a Luxury Pack, normally costing £975, brings full Volterra leather upholstery and heating for the front sports seats, rear acoustic parking and upgraded interior lights using LED technology.

A6 Le Mans Edition specification also includes S line sports suspension lowered by 30mm, an upgraded braking system, cruise control, S line decorative facia inlays in brushed aluminium, a three-spoke S line sports steering wheel and the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) controlling a 10-speaker audio system with CD changer. Specified individually, the additional equipment added to the A6 Le Mans Edition would cost in excess of £2,300, but in this exclusive model it carries a premium of just £115.

An advanced common rail fuel injection system, a close relative of which is installed in the R10 TDI prototype’s V12 engine, maximises performance and operating efficiency in the road-going 3.0-litre V6 TDI powering the A6 Le Mans Edition. With 233PS at 4,000rpm and 450Nm of torque from just 1,400rpm it quickly reveals the qualities that helped to create a Le Mans-winning diesel engine, delivering 0-62mph acceleration in 6.9 seconds and, where permissible, a top speed of 153mph, yet doing so with 35.3mpg capability and refinement befitting an Audi executive saloon.

World’s first purpose-built diesel
Not surprisingly, the slightly less cosseting R10 TDI sports car features the most powerful member to date of the Audi TDI family, which is also notable as the world’s first purpose-built diesel racing engine. The 5.5-litre V12 is the first Audi TDI to be built around an all-aluminium block - a new departure that could very easily become a production reality — and with the help of common rail fuel injection technology and two Garrett turbochargers delivers 650PS and an even more formidable 1,100Nm of torque.

Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport, Ulrich Baretzky, indicated recently that lessons learned on the circuit in the ongoing development of the R10 TDI are likely to significantly accelerate advances in the road-going Audi TDI engine range. “We are still relatively close to the findings of our colleagues from production since we are breaking completely new ground in motorsport. However, this will change. I believe to be able to share the things that we developed specifically for motorsport with production in the future,” he said. The Audi TDI range is currently headed by the 4.2-litre, 326PS V8 TDI powering the A8 Saloon.

Posted in: Audi, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Europe, British Motor Show, Diesel
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