Audi has launched an ambitious plan to become the first manufacturer to win the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours with a diesel-powered car.
Scotsman Allan McNish is likely to be retained as one of Audi's drivers and he will bid to make motorsport history as part of the first serious attempt to win a major honour with diesel power.
Audi launched its new car, called the R10, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and set out a grand plan to win Le Mans not just once - but to dominate with diesel for a decade.
Audi's motorsport boss Wolfgang Ulrich has no doubt he can mastermind a history-making victory in the endurance classic in June. He said: "If we were not convinced we could achieve it we wouldn't have started this project.
"We always set ourselves ambitious goals. Audi wants to show the world it can be done."
Audi's diesel plans have taken two years to come to fruition and preparations will continue with secret test sessions in the run-up to the R10's debut at Sebring in March.
The last diesel-powered car to take on Le Mans never threatened to claim either overall or class honours.
The British-based Taurus Sport project used the diesel engine from a Volkswagen road car but it proved uncompetitive, despite its fuel economy advantages.
Audi's unit is a more serious proposition though.
It has a 5.5-litre V12 engine and this is expected to pump out 650bhp, giving it an anticipated higher top speed on the straights than its petrol rivals can manage to achieve.
- PA