THE DIESEL RACE CAR THAT CHANGED THE GAME

AUDI R10 TDI-LE MANS LEGEND

- JON DANIELS

When you think of endurance racing, images of high-revving gasoline screamers often flood the mind. Tons of machines built for power, speed, and aggression. But in 2006, Audi did something no one expected. They didn't just challenge the gasoline establishment; they overthrew it—with a diesel. Enter the Audi R10 TDI, the first diesel-powered racecar to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and arguably the most disruptive force to ever hit endurance racing.

Audi's decision to field a diesel prototype wasn't a gimmick. It was a calculated risk, backed by engineering confidence and a deep understanding of both competition and innovation.

The R10 TDI was built to replace the R8, which was an already legendary gas-powered car that won Le Mans five times, just with a radical twist: a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12 diesel engine. This wasn't just a repurposed road diesel. It was a full-blown racing engine designed for torque, efficiency, and insane durability.

Producing upwards of 650 horsepower and a monstrous 811 lbs-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm, the R10 TDI wasn't loud by any means, but it was lethal. Its competitors would hear the wind before they saw the silver streak blur past. And by the time they noticed, the R10 was already gone.