Which car gave Audi its diesel-powered overall win at Le Mans in 2006?

The Audi R10 TDI gave Audi its first diesel-powered overall victory at Le Mans in 2006. Frank Biela, Marco Werner, and Emanuele Pirro drove the No. 8 Audi Sport Team Joest car to victory, completing 380 laps.

The result marked a major technological milestone: the R10 TDI was the first diesel-powered car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V12 diesel produced immense torque and delivered the fuel efficiency needed for long stints between pit stops. Audi had developed the prototype with Dallara, and it replaced the successful petrol-powered Audi R8.

The victory was not merely a diesel novelty. The R10 had already won the 12 Hours of Sebring earlier in 2006, demonstrating that its technology could work in competition. At Le Mans, the winning Audi finished four laps ahead of the Pescarolo-Judd, while a sister R10 completed the podium. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP was also diesel-powered, but it did not win this edition.