Forza 4 meets Audi ultra lightweight technology; The Audi R18 TDI

Outta my way, Peugeot! You're no longer belong at Le Mans!

Diesels are now the stalwarts of the 24 Hours of Le Mans because petrol can't keep up with today's happenings such as the environment, economy, and tensions from the Middle East. With the rivalrly between Peugeot and Audi are getting a bit hotter on Le Mans over the years, this is the kind of Audi LMP that trounced the Peugeot last year and therefore, Peugeot no longer being a part of the Le Mans 2012 season at Circuit de la Sarthe. What you're looking now is Audi ultra lightweight technology, the Audi R18 TDI.

Three kings of Sebring

Positioned as the stalwart of Forza Motorsport 4's February ALMS Pack, players got themselves the first time getting behind the wheel of the Audi R18 TDi, but to be specific, the Team Joest #2 Audi R18 which was driven by drivers Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer. The R18 TDi that stayed on to the very end of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans season, getting it's first win and continues Audi's reign at Le Mans. Like the Peugeot 908 HDi, it's a diesel LMP so you might be expecting some clattering "dig-dig-dig-dig-dig-dig" sounds of hell but thanks to such lightweight technology, the R18 TDi is surprisingly lighter than the other Audi LMPs on the game, above all, it's lighter than the outgoing Peugeot 908 TDi, which we will no longer see it on the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans season.

A Le Mans Prototype that is as light as a buttercup

Under the bonnet, the 3.7L TDi engine with a single Garrett TR30R VGT turbocharger produces 540HP of power and 664lb-ft of torque. What we're realizing that the R18 TDi is not quite as powerful as the Audi LMPs in the past, and above all, not powerful enough than our absolute favorite LMP from the past, the rotary-powered Mazda 787B.

It can do 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds, that's about the same time as my absolute favorite supercar, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and flatout, it can do 207MPH, so there's gonna be some chase here. For stopping power, the Audi R18 TDi will halt from 100mph to nothing in 201ft.

Audi R18 TDi making "tambay" at the Top Gear studio

There is somewhat a familiar story about the R18 TDi because it was participated in other races such as the 1000km Spa round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Imola 6 Hours, Silverstone 6 Hours, Petit Le Mans, and China 6 Hours. Originally, the R18 TDi want to take part at the Sebring 12 Hours but due to development and logistics, the R18 wasn't take part at Sebring but instead, Audi used two Audi R15+ machines. It's a bit of a history lesson but doesn't matter. What matters is that we played with the R18 TDi on Forza Motorsport 4 and the Audi ultra lightweight technology makes it an ace of its sleeves against your rivals.