24 hr Lemans Race

[S4to335]

Does Audi winning the race for the 8th time in a row help sell cars in the US? other places in the world? I actually thought they were possibly losing this year..but seems they pulled it out again.

[KL2DC]

I feel Audi is not capitalizing on their motorsport succeses as well as they should be, I think they did better in the past with their rallying succeses and the quattro brand name.

[TSM330i]

It was a very close race for sure. If it hadn't rained, I'm sure they would have lost. It was so close right up to the end. One misstep and the outcome would have been different.
I heard after the race the Audi team invited the entire Peugeot team to their hospitality tent and gave everyone a standing ovation as they walked in. Class act for sure.
Does it sell cars in the US? Probably not. Most Americans don't even know what LeMans is. If it doesn't have to do with driving in circles all day (NASCAR) most people don't know what it is, especially the LMP1 and LMP2 cars because they don't look like street cars at all.
We're car enthusiasts and know what it is. I was at a party this past weekend and NO ONE knew what I was talking about. A couple even "drive" European cars.

[audiprotein]

^^^ Exactly, here in America, not everyone know about Le Mans.
I'm so excited to go to ASLM this year, it should be here close to Chicago in Wisconsin in August.

[spacedogg]

Don't get me wrong...I love how sophisticated Audi's look...and their Torsen based quattro systems are bar none best in the business...

But I think they are really lacking a very worthy sports coupe in the $50k range. I mean sure they have the TT...and the A5. Both are beautiful cars. But unfortunately they are not the best handlers in their class.

They did such a beautiful job with the R8...just need to make a slightly cheaper model for the masses that handles well and has gobs of torque (ie they should/will bring back more turbos to their lineup).

If they could have car priced around the TT ...but with Torsen quattro (instead of FWD biased Haldex quattro)...and more HP...I'd trade my car in.

[voltron1011]

I agree with spacedogg...
My biggest gripe is that they are front-wheel-drive based all-wheel drive cars. Meaning, if you don't get the Quattro, you're stuck with front-track (as the Audi guys refer to it)...
For me, I don't want all-wheel-drive... And, I won't be paying $50,000 for a WWD (wrong wheel drive) luxury car.

[footie]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I feel Audi is not capitalizing on their motorsport succeses as well as they should be, I think they did better in the past with their rallying succeses and the quattro brand name.

I agree 100%, unlike BMW who's name is synonymous with their engines, Audi is synonymous with their awd system and the only place they can get recognition for that is in rallying.

Surely after 8 times they have proved beyond question that they are the king of endurance, best look for another goal.