The carmaker said it continues a history of entering new drivetrains in the event, having previously been the first Le Mans winner with a TFSI petrol engine e in 2001 and TDI in 2006. In the run-up to the event, the hybrids will be tested at the 6-hour endurance race at Spa Francorchamps in March. Audi’s drivers for this year will comprise of André Lotterer, Allan McNish, Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis. 

Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, explained: ‘To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages. The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans.

‘As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive – just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race.’