Amid the hype and hyperbole of the recent Frankfurt Motor show, the introduction of an Audi supercar, the Le Mans, may have slipped below the radar.
However, the unveiling of a four-ringed competitor for the likes of stablemate Lamborghini is apparently not merely the end product of an idle mind at Audi, but may one day see its way to showrooms, albeit in more affluent markets than Ireland.
The name is appropriate as well, considering the millions spent by Audi on its Le Mans race programme and the three consecutive victories it has to show for it, from 2000 to 2002.
The mid-engined four-wheel-drive prototype uses a Lamborghini-sourced five-litre bi-turbo V10 which Audi claims offers 610 bhp and can take it from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds. The concept is built from an aluminium and carbon-fibre body frame, which makes it very light.
The hand of Audi brand design chief Walter de'Silva can clearly be seen. The Le Mans brings to three the concepts created under his tenure - the 4x4 Pikes Peak, the sporty Nuvolari and now the Le Mans supercar. All will play a significant role in the future direction of Audi.
