AUDI UNVEILS R10 PROTOTYPE THAT WILL DEBUT AT SEBRING

AUDI UNVEILS DIESEL-POWERED R10 PROTOTYPE THAT WILL DEBUT AT MOBIL 1 TWELVE
HOURS OF SEBRING

Armed with cutting-edge technology developed en route to five overall 24
Hours of Le Mans victories and six American Le Mans Series championships,
Audi AG today unveiled its new R10 LMP1 today at a worldwide media briefing
in Paris. Described as the most sophisticated and technologically advanced
sports car ever produced, the diesel-powered prototype will make its
competitive debut at the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on
March 18, the opening event of the 2006 American Le Mans Series.

“Audi has been an integral part of the American Le Mans Series for six years
and is our defending champion. We are ecstatic that our relationship will
continue – stronger than ever,” said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of
the American Le Mans Series. “Audi has played a leading role in the success
of the American Le Mans Series, and we believe the series has contributed
significantly to the success of Audi – certainly in North America. The fact
that we are beginning a new chapter together is good news for all involved.”

Audi's specific plans for the 2006 American Le Mans Series will be announced
in the near future.

Audi's record in the American Le Mans Series speaks for itself. The marque
has won 47 times in the series (all with its R8), including seven in 2005.
Six different Audi drivers have won American Le Mans Series drivers
championships in LMP1 (most recently Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro in
2005), and Audi teams have won every LMP1 team championship since 2000. Audi
has excelled on the biggest stages in sports car racing, as well. The
manufacturer swept the sport's three most prestigious races -- Sebring, the
24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans -- each of the past two seasons. That
record extends to 14 of the last 15 endurance classics, starting at the 2000
12 Hours of Sebring. The Audi R8 also has won 38 pole positions in LMP1,
another series record.

Audi plans to use this year's 12 Hours of Sebring as a test for the 74th
running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most prestigious automobile
race. One of the most elite marques in the world, Audi will go for its
seventh straight overall win at Sebring. "The circuit's characteristics make
this race one of the hardest in the world and the perfect opportunity to put
a new car through its paces," said Wolfgang Appel, head of vehicle
technology at Audi Sport.

In a series that features premium automobile manufacturers showcasing the
latest in technology, Audi again leads the pack. The most unique feature of
the R10 is its 5.5-liter, V12 diesel engine that produces more than 650 hp
and 1,100 Newton-meters of torque. It is the most powerfully diesel engine
in the world, said Ulrich Baretzky, head of engine technology at Audi Sport.
The diesel package will provide better fuel economy and a longer life.

“The R10 project is the biggest challenge ever to have been handed to Audi
Sport,” said Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “TDI technology
has not been pushed to its limits in motorsport yet. We are the first to
confront the challenge. The demands of such a project are accordingly high.
Long-term technology partners such as Bosch, Michelin and Shell support us
in our quest. Together we have the chance to write new chapters in the
history books of motorsport and diesel technology.”

“Audi stands at the forefront of automotive technology and has been a leader
in directly transferring their racing developments to their road cars,”
Atherton said. “We can now add the use of diesel technology to this list.
This will make the R10 a pioneer in terms of alternate forms of fuel.”

Cosmetically, the R10 possesses many of the same features of the R8.
Underneath the surface, however, is a world of difference. The Audi R10 has
a significantly longer wheelbase than the R8 (due in part to the larger
engine), and the overly wide front tires are, up until now, unique for a Le
Mans Prototype. New technologies also were implemented during the
development of the carbon-fiber monocoque. The chassis, engine and gearbox
form an extremely rigid, fully stressed unit.

Already, the R10 has taken its first laps. Audi conducted the roll-out of
the car Nov. 29. By the time Le Mans rolls around, it is expected that the
V12 diesel will have nearly 3,000 test-bench hours and several thousand
miles to its credit before Le Mans. The development team from Audi Sport is
supported by Reinhold Joest’s squad, which also performed this task during
the R8 project.

“There has been more speculation and buzz regarding the unveiling of Audi’s
R10 than any other sports car I can remember,” Atherton said. “It is a
testament to the level of anticipation and interest the motorsports
community has for this world-class, next-generation prototype. The Audi R8
will go down in history as one of the most successful cars in our sport’s
history, but the R10 no doubt will be a worthy successor.”

The American Le Mans Series opens the 2006 season with the 54th annual Mobil
1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, scheduled for March 18 on SPEED Channel. Series
teams will have the opportunity to test at the second annual Wheels Down
Winter Test from Jan. 23-25 at Sebring International Raceway.

Ryan Smith
Web editor/Media Relations Manager
American Le Mans Series
1394 Broadway Ave.
Braselton, GA 30517
E-mail: rsmith@americanlemans.com
(706) 654-2983, Ext. 319


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