Audi to abandon LMP1 at end of 2017

[ak_siberian]

Coupled with the huge losses due to the dieselgate scandal, Audi is ending it's LMP1 series at the end of 2017 and concentrate on the GT3 series. It is also scaling back it's Ingolstadt development center to concentrate (ultimately) in producing high performance batteries for their green cars. It seems diesel will be mostly stifled at the expense of electric or gas hybrid vehicles.

Guess not even VDub can absorb this type of financial burden and continue "business as usual". That's only reserved for banks and S&L...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/mo...drawal-updated

siberian

[Brooklyn]

End of 2017? Does that mean one more Le Mans in 2017 and they are done, or have they already run their last Le Mans?

[ak_siberian]

Various European reports state the 2017 date. Whether work was already advanced to the point where it would be silly to dump it for the upcoming Le Mans race, or politically they wanted to give the impression that "we really want to focus on electric/hybrid etc. since we've dominated this race" whilst not admitting that the 15 billion fine in the US alone plus the ROW would put a crimp on anyone (well except the bankers they'll always find someone to bail them out - the taxpayer) is anyone's conjecture. I know that the reason they gave that in competing in LMP1 against their cousins (Porsche) folks would only remember the loser is nonsense. Toyota nearly won last year and you can bet they'll be back with a vengeance. Secondly, if they're so concerned about racing against their cousin, what do you think the GT3 class is comprised of?

My take is diesel is dead for them and new avenues are needed. GT3 is much less expensive than LMP1, as to Porsche... well their margins are way better than Audi and VW and they may survive another year or so. But...

siberian

[Operator]

Man diesel gate is definitely having an impact.

[ak_siberian]

Which is the reason it's so funny to hear the official declarations of "we've won for so long, now our future is in electric so we naturally...". After they poured billions into hybrid diesels, they now all of a sudden... No, the reason is they won't get diesel past US emissions and now that the honeymoon is over in Europe where manufacturers could set and control their own tests they've realized the game is up. Ingolstat will now start R&D on batteries, 20,000 folks will be let go over ten years (attrition and retirements) and diesel will just be a distant memory.

siberian

[SimbadCA]

I'm still enjoying my A4 regardless.