Here’s something quite remarkable – a fully functioning modern-era LMP1 car that hasn’t been squirrelled away in its maker’s basement for the last decade, and is actually for sale. According to seller Art & Revs, a Luxembourg-based car dealer, this is the “only fully functioning R18 TDI Ultra in private hands”. Credit cards at the ready, folks…

The R18 TDI is responsible for four of Audi’s 13 Le Mans victories from 2011 through 2014. This particular R18 is built to non-hybrid spec as raced in 2011, meaning it’s not quite as fiercely complicated as the electrified ‘e-tron quattro’ R18s that landed in 2012 (and which we’ve actually driven). That should make it much easier for a privateer to own, drive and maintain, though Art & Revs says it knows “an ex-Audi Sport engineer [who] will be pleased to accompany the car and support its new owner in racing it”. 

Chassis #100, one of eight cars built in this spec and six remaining, never raced in period. It was used mainly for testing and FIA homologation, though was taken to several races as a backup. 

In 2013 chassis #100 was modified to look like a later hybrid-spec car for the media to fawn over while the real cars were out testing and racing. But in 2018 it was returned to original 2011 spec and fully restored by Audi Sport. Art & Revs says it hasn’t moved since, so the 532bhp 3.7-litre V6 diesel engine and sequential gearbox are good for 10,000 and 7,000km respectively before they need rebuilding.

The seller claims this is the “only R18 that has been restored and which is fully functional with its ECU in place”, and that others sold off by Audi were for display only. 

The price? POA. Only the wealthiest motorsport fans need apply for this one. We would if we could.

Images: Art & Revs