Audi to leave sportscar racing?

[jimclark]

A s far as I'm concerned, my signature says it all..... 

I'm glad I'm as old as I am so that I caught the good times... 

[mgmark]

I suppose having decided to ship out at the end of 2017, it probably wasn't too difficult a choice for Audi to bring that forward a year...would have been nice though to see a final hurrah from them after the last 16+ years.

Nissan will probably be too busy supplying everyone with LMP 2 engines from next year.

So, cue Porsche, Toyota and likely Ford branding replacing all the Audi stuff around the circuit?

MG Mark

[Canada Phil]

This announcement/confirmation seems to coincide with VW's US compensation claims being fixed at $15billion.  Presumably about half of that is Audi, as I think they were pushing diesel more than VW.  Then there's the rest of the world (that prefer diesel), so that's a hell of a big bill.  It even makes Audi's racing budget look like small change.

Lorry,
        Diesel is not a popular option in North America for passenger cars.   Volkswagen Golf were by far the most popular in the niche market and an even smaller portion of Mercedes Benz diesels. I do not believe I have ever seen an Audi with diesel option. Domestic brands do not offer diesel.
The judges in the case against VW stated they wanted the highest $$ fine that would hurt BUT not jeopardise VW survival.

Phil
 

[Lorry]

I thought Audi had been pushing diesels, as a sideline of the ALMS program etc, perhaps unsuccessfully.

$15 billion for a few Golf DTIs is really expensive

I'll see what my friend at Hummer has to say (don't they have a diesel option?  or was it gas turbine??)

[Canada Phil]

I thought Audi had been pushing diesels, as a sideline of the ALMS program etc, perhaps unsuccessfully.

$15 billion for a few Golf DTIs is really expensive

I'll see what my friend at Hummer has to say (don't they have a diesel option?  or was it gas turbine??)

Hi lorry,
 Hummer is hardly a mainstream car and while they may be available with a diesel most are gas (petrol) on the road. I expect the military ones would be diesel.
Any of the larger  (1 ton) pick ups are diesel but they are working trucks. the average urban cowboy style Ford 150 is a v8 gas.
Phil

[Canada Phil]

Hi Lorry.
 a quick search reveals for the USA:
Under a proposed $15 billion settlement filed today, VW will buy back or fix about 475,000 of the diesel-powered cars it programmed to cheat on emissions tests and sold in the US between 2009 and 2015
This deal covers these 2.0-liter models:

VW Beetle (2013 – 2015)
VW Golf (2010 – 2015)
VW Jetta (2009 – 2015)
VW Passat (2012 – 2015)
Audi A3 (2010 – 2013; 2015)

So there is an Audi but I have never seen one.
Typical sales in Canada are 10% of the US and we may not get the Audi in diesel. The Golf and Jetta ( your BORA) are the popular models for diesel.

Phil

[Lorry]

Thanks

I've heard the same from my friend.  I hadn't realised that most of the diesel Audis would have had the bigger V6 engine which wasn't affected, and they don't seem to have sold that many diesels anyway.

It seems that Cadillac had a stab a diesels, but gave up and I'm quite glad

[Lorry]

Now its seems that VW are pulling out of rallying after winning things for 4 years.  I'd forgotten this - the groups motorsport budget has been severely dented.

[mgmark]

Now its seems that VW are pulling out of rallying after winning things for 4 years.  I'd forgotten this - the groups motorsport budget has been severely dented.

Indeed it has - be interesting to see how much of a presence/involvement they keep, if any, in the various feeder series both internationally and on home turf (ADAC, BTCC, Golf and Polo Cups etc).

MG Mark

[Lorry]

I may have missed it before, but I've just noticed Audi's new advert, featuring Le Mans.

What embarrassing timing, and the Porsche centre looks like its been rebadged

[Andy Zarse]

Now its seems that VW are pulling out of rallying after winning things for 4 years.  I'd forgotten this - the groups motorsport budget has been severely dented.

Apparently, there's  world rally championship! Who knew? Crikey they kept that quiet didn't they...

[lofty]

there'll be enough drivers on the market to start a whole new race series. So what should the FIA come up with? Shopping trolleys top of my list.

[Landy_Jon]

Leave the motorised shopping trolleys to F1 if you don't mind 

[smokie]

Re defeat devices in Audi's - breaking news!!

http://blog.caranddriver.com/another-emissions-cheat-device-found-this-time-on-audi-gasoline-and-diesel-vehicles/

[clkgtrlm1]

I may have missed it before, but I've just noticed Audi's new advert, featuring Le Mans.

What embarrassing timing, and the Porsche centre looks like its been rebadged

My take on it was that it was a rather graceful (but two fingers up) epitaph to Audi racing at Le Mans - good on them.
No matter what you think about Audi and Oil burners (and I was never a big fan), you got to hand it to them - the boys (and girls) done good.

I think that Audi badge is shown on the big screen next to Wollek Grandstand.