Audi heads the entry for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours with a four-car assault that will include two hybrid versions of its R18 coupe.
The German manufacturer has opted to split its entry between its new diesel-electric hybrid, which has been testing since last autumn, and a conventional turbodiesel version of the R18.
Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said: "The first test results [of the hybrid] are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs on the race track at Le Mans.
The new R18 Hybrid, which is understood to use a flywheel energy-storage system rather than batteries, will make its debut in the Spa round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in May.
Audi will run two cars in the full WEC and three in the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours next month and at Spa.
Toyota has two of its new TS030 HYBRIDS on the entry list. Super GT driver Hiroaki Ishiura is listed against the second entry, making him the first confirmed driver in this car.
The US Dyson Racing, winners of last year's American Le Mans Series, is on course to race at the 24 Hours for the first time in its history. It has taken up both of its guaranteed slots and will field its pair of new LMP1 Lola-Mazda B12/60 coupes.
The publication of the entry list finally confirms Aston Martin Racing's switch to the GTE division after the end of the AMR-One prototype programme It will field two Vantage GT2s at Le Mans and in the WEC.
Five cars are on the reserve list, including the second Lotus LMP2 and another P2 Lola from Status GP.
The full entry list can be found here.
Full story: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/audi-heads-2012-le-mans-entry-list/
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