Just 3 years after MAHLE, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race also celebrates its 100th anniversary. On this occasion, we look back at a shared success story that began in the 70s.
Since 1970, race cars equipped with MAHLE piston-cylinder assemblies have regularly crossed the finish line as winners of the world's most renowned endurance race.
In the past 36 years, vehicles with MAHLE inside have claimed victory 28 times.
Undoubtedly, MAHLE celebrated its most successful era during the 18-year partnership with Audi. During this time, the Ingolstadt-based team triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans a total of 13 times.
On the occasion of this anniversary, we would like to take a look back at the highlights of our shared partnership.
In 1998, Audi entered the Le Mans scene with not just one, but two different prototypes.
During the race, they tested the R8R and the closed variant R8C, aiming to concentrate on the better-performing base for the development of the final prototype for the 2000 edition.
In the brand's internal competition, it was the open R8R that ultimately made it to the podium. However, the reliability issues dashed the hopes of both R8C cars, as they retired prematurely.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held annually on the second weekend of June in the city of Le Mans, France. The race track, known as Circuit des 24 Heures, is approximately 13.88 kilometers long and consists of public roads and sections of the permanent Circuit Bugatti. A notable feature of the track is an almost five-kilometer-long straight called Ligne Droite des Hunaudières, also known as Mulsanne Straight. Since 1990, speeds have been limited to around 340 km/h on this straight due to safety chicanes. Originally designed as a test of vehicle reliability and development, the goal is to cover the greatest possible distance within 24 hours and cross the finish line. In the early years of the race, only the drivers themselves were allowed to perform repairs using onboard tools. Later, it was permitted for mechanics to carry out the repairs, but the cars must reach their pit boxes independently.
With the R8, Audi introduced what is arguably the most beautiful prototype of all time. It already celebrated a victory in its very first race, the 12 Hours of Sebring. In Le Mans, it achieved a triumphant triple win. The R8 also dominated in the years 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005, securing a total of five victories in six races. Audi essentially introduced the modular construction approach in racing cars with the R8, aiming to save valuable time during repair pit stops.
The next era began with the Audi R10 TDI, marking a completely new challenge: winning Le Mans with a diesel engine.
With the R10, equipped with a 5.5-liter V12 diesel engine and featuring MAHLE piston assemblies and cylinder coatings, they achieved the historic first-ever diesel triumph at Le Mans.
The world's most powerful diesel engine, specifically designed for this purpose, demonstrated exceptional reliability and performance under the most demanding conditions. Audi continued their winning streak in 2007 and 2008 as well.
However, the R10 was just an intermediate step on the way to the next innovation. Due to increasingly limited opportunities for further development and improving racing performance, Audi introduced the R15 TDI in 2009. Special emphasis was placed on aerodynamics. Unfortunately, in the same year at Le Mans, Audi was defeated by their competitor, Peugeot.
In 2010, it was the R15 TDI Plus that brought Audi back to the path of victory. In Le Mans, they celebrated a triumphant triple win and even set a new distance record in the process.
New regulations for cars and engines were introduced in Le Mans for the year 2011. Audi had to develop a new prototype, the R18, which was also the first closed prototype since 1999. MAHLE, in record time, developed steel pistons with reinforced structures in MONO-THERM design, capable of withstanding the significantly increased loads and temperature rise in the engine. With the R18, Audi achieved their tenth victory in Le Mans, while MAHLE celebrated their 38th victory in the post-war era alone.
2012 was the year of hybrids. For the first time, a team entered the race with hybrid vehicles, and the success was spectacular.
The four Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars confidently secured the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th positions. Under the hood of these sports cars, the latest version of the compact V6 TDI engine, which was first introduced in Le Mans in 2011, worked in conjunction with MAHLE steel pistons.
The years 2013 and 2014 were defined by Audi's uninterrupted streak of success. In 2013, Audi clinched overall victories in Le Mans, as well as the driver and team championships.
Audi's exit from the World Endurance Championship at the end of the 2016 season marked the end of an era. However, the successes of Audi and MAHLE at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will remain unforgettable in motorsport history. Their unparalleled dominance, innovation, and reliability set new standards in endurance racing that will endure for a long time.
For this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, we have something special planned for you.
We are giving away a total of 2 x 13 Audi R18 e-tron quattro model cars to commemorate the 13 Audi victories.
You can participate in the giveaway by visiting our Instagram channels @mahlegroup or @mahlempulse from June 9th to June 11th.
Good luck in the giveaway!