Audi Entering 2 R18 E-tron Quattros for Rest of WEC Season

The AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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will field two R18 E-tron QuattrosAudi R18 e-tron quattroGermany, 2012 > present8 photos
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in the rest of the WEC rounds this season. Until this point, it has raced one E-tron Quattro and one R18 UltraAudi R18 ultraGermany, 2012 > present11 photos
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. The next WEC race is the Six Hours of Bahrain on September 29.

Audi says that the change in strategy is partially due to the different layouts of the next WEC courses: Bahrain, Fuji and Shanghai. Bahrain especially has several hard braking zones that give an advantage to cars with regenerative braking. It says that the R18 Ultra has been able to put down faster lap times on occassion, but the E-tron is a better overall car. 

Audi will convert the current R18 Ultra to an E-tron Quattro and change the car's livery. 

We decided to compete with two hybrid vehicles in Bahrain. Our analysis has shown that we’ve got an advantage in traffic with the R18 e-tron quattro. It makes it easier for our drivers to overtake other vehicles. This means that with two hybrid vehicles we’re in a better position in the battle with Toyota. At the same time, we’re giving both our driver teams identical material in the battle for the title. Bahrain will be a completely different race than the previous rounds," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

The R18 E-tron Quattro won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 6 Hours of Silverstone; it took second at the Six Hours of Brazil. The R18 Ultra took victory at the 6 Hours of Spa.  

The 6 Hours of Bahrain runs at the Sakhir circuit from 4pm to 10pm local time. Most of the race will take place after dark. ToyotaToyota TS030 HYBRIDJapan, 2012 > present5 photos
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is coming off its first ever WEC win at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo and will be hoping to win again.