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    Audi's R18 e-tron Quattro becomes first hybrid to win Le Mans

    Audi's R18 e-tron Quattro becomes first hybrid to win Le Mans

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    Audi swept its way to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this weekend, becoming the first team to win the event with a hybrid vehicle. The company's R18 e-tron Quattro

    By Amar Toor / @amartoo

    Source Audi | Via Jalopnik | Image AutoGuide

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    audi hybrid

    Audi swept its way to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this weekend, becoming the first team to win the event with a hybrid vehicle. Drivers Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer, and Benoit Treluyer took first place with an Audi R18 e-tron Quattro, followed by Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen, and Allan McNish, who also drove an e-tron Quattro. The event marked the 11th victory in 13 years for Audi, which completed the sweep when its non-hybrid Ultra finished third.

    The e-tron Quattro, announced earlier this year, isn't a typical hybrid. The car's rear wheels are powered by a turbo-diesel V6 engine, with its front wheels controlled by an electric motor. Rather than load the vehicle with a large battery, Audi has instead connected its front-wheel motor to a flywheel system, which collects kinetic energy generated from braking and converts it into power.

    The car's 1-2 finish certainly says volumes about Audi's engineering, though the e-tron wasn't the only hybrid in contention at this year's race. Toyota's TS030 hybrid was also in contention at Le Mans, though it was derailed Saturday by a major crash.