FIA WEC: Audi reveals new R18 e-tron quattro, Porsche confirms drivers

Audi has taken the wraps off its 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship contender, confirming a step up to the 6MJ hybrid subclass and a switch to battery technology for the next-generation diesel-powered LMP1 car.

The German prototype, which has been more than a year-and-a-half in development, was revealed Saturday during the Audi Sport Finale in Munich, featuring a dramatic new aero package at the front and in other areas.

It marks a significant departure from the 2015 car, which utilized a flywheel hybrid and ran in the 4MJ subclass, compared to Toyota and Porsche, which competed in the 6 and 8MJ classes, respectively.

The 2016-spec Audi, however, remains with the same four-liter V6 turbodiesel engine.

"With our new Audi R18, we're setting a clear signal: Audi continues to put the pedal to the metal in motorsport, deliberately relying on TDI - the world's most successful automotive efficiency technology – at Le Mans," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

Two cars will again take part in the entire WEC season with an unchanged driver lineup, although Audi revealed that it, along with Porsche, will not enter third cars for the 24 Hours of Le Mans due to cost-cutting measures.

Both of the German manufacturers will not field third entries for the race, as part of a joint agreement made between the VW Group sister companies in the wake of the group's ongoing emissions scandal.

It will result in only the teams' season-long WEC pilots taking part in the blue-ribboned event, with none of Porsche's winning drivers from 2015 back to defend their overall crown.

The reduced Le Mans effort - a decision that's understood to have been made during last weekend's season-ending Six Hours of Bahrain - will result in no 2016 LMP1 race drives for Filipe Albuquerque, Marco Bonanomi and Rene Rast as well as 2015 winners Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.

It will mark the first time in a decade that only two Audis will be on the grid at Le Mans, with the manufacturer having fielded as many as four factory entries in recent years.

Porsche, meanwhile, also confirmed Saturday that all six of its 2015 drivers will return next year.

The decision comes in the wake of Porsche testing multiple drivers, including Kevin Magnussen, Oliver Turvey and Mitch Evans, for what its previously confirmed third 919 Hybrid, which has since been retracted.

Toyota, which has yet to announce its 2016 driver lineup, is understood to have been evaluating a third entry for Le Mans, although the addition of a ninth race to next year's schedule could have ruled out those hopes.

Nissan, meanwhile, will also feature a reduced two-car effort at La Sarthe next year, as confirmed by incoming LMP1 team principal Michael Carcamo.

Further technical details of the new Audi have yet to be revealed, although it will be testing at Sebring for the first time next month.