Audi's been promoting the fact that an "e-tron" would lap Le Mans this week as part of a demonstration of alternative fuel vehicles shown at speed just before the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Joining cars like the Porsche GT3 hybrid and natural gas powered Volkswagen Scirocco that both ran Nurburgring, the Audi e-tron turned out to be an outwardly normal Audi R8 painted in a matte medium grey with bright green decals.

Long-time Audi works driver Frank Biela piloted the car during its laps, making three passes around the circuit before being directed in to the paddock. Once inside, Biela was met by Audi AG board member Michael Dick who congratulated him and then took the wheel of the car to move it to a display area.


As far as we know this is the first time an R8 e-tron prototype has been shown in public and it surprised us the car was not one of the two e-tron concept cars shown and test driven by several journalists earlier this year.

Check out plenty of photos of the R8 e-tron and other activities taking place during the parade laps after the jump.

2010 24 Hours of Le Mans Photo Gallery