Well, it's not an official VW-Audi car, they say they had difficulties getting funds but I guess PR purposes issues have a say here too.
And here it is :
Car #10 runs a V10 TDI from VW (the Touareg SUV engine).
Team Taurus Sport Racing
Brands Lalo Caterpillar
Country : England (yes !)
Power : 530hp
Torque : 1050nm at 2500rpm (wooot !!!)
Weight : 1079kg (doh...)
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Le Mans history for ‘incredible’ diesel
A privately-owned Norfolk racing team will make history at the world-famous Le Mans 24-hour race when it runs the first diesel-powered car in more than 50 years.
Last year's race was won by the Bentley Speed 8 cars designed and built by Hingham-based Racing Technology Norfolk (Rtn).
But with the Bentleys not running this year after coming to the end of a three-year race programme, step forward another Norfolk team.
Taurus Sports from Watton is entering two cars, with hopes of a top-six finish in the prestigious race.
One car is a traditional petrol-fuelled Lola Judd V10 sports car, which Taurus is hoping will be a match for the competition led by the Audi R8s.
The second is also a Lola, but this sports car is powered by a V10 diesel engine developed by Peterborough-based engine specialist Caterpillar.
It will be the first time in the modern era a diesel engine will go head to head with petrol-fuelled cars.
A French team last ran a diesel car in 1952, bowing out of the race after just seven hours.
Entering the race is a personal triumph for Taurus Sports boss Ian Dawson who has more than 30 years' experience in motorsport from Formula 1 to world sports car racing, working for names such as Lotus and Ferrari.
His privately-owned team has a fraction of the budget available to rival, factory-based teams.
The largest teams, with a 50-strong staff, are expected to spend around £5m on their bids to win Le Mans.
Taurus Sports will spend less than a 10th of that figure and boasts a team of just 12.
Ian's son Simon, who is part of the Taurus Sports team, said the diesel sports car had caused tremendous excitement whenever it took to the track.
"It is the first diesel since 1952 and so there has been a huge amount of interest," he said. "Diesels have not run before because they are not as fast, not as competitive.
"But this diesel engine is incredible. New technology has come on so much that the performance is almost as good as the petrol cars. It will need a lot fewer stops so the computer projections show that it will be competitive and it could well surprise a few people.
"The first aim is to break seven hours, which was how long the last diesel ran for back in 1952, and then to take it from there."
Raising sponsorship has been tough for Taurus, which does not have the backing of a major manufacturer, limiting the number of outings for the diesel car.
Yesterday Taurus put both cars through their paces at the Snetterton race circuit for a final time before the team heads out for Le Mans tomorrow.
The race itself takes place over the weekend of Saturday, June 12, and Sunday, June 13. But much of the week before is taken up with practice circuits and scrutineering of the cars by the judges.
Simon Dawson said the team was confident of surprising some of the big names.
"Preparations have gone well. We could have done with more money to support the project but confidence is high that we can go out and achieve something quite special," he said.
"It will be a great thing for Norfolk and the East of England to have two cars out in the Le Mans race and in the case of the diesel car – creating a piece of history."
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Cheers,
Eric
PS : and yes, there will be a diesel Audi RS car one day
