Audi's hybrid R18 E-Tron Quattro won the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race held from June 16 to June 17 this year, becoming the first ever hybrid-powered vehicle to win the auto racing marathon.

The German carmaker has won the 24-hour long sports car race 11 times since 2000, with two of its E-Trons finishing first and second this year. Its non-hybrid diesel-powered counterpart – the R18 Ultra – finished third place.

The E-Tron that placed first was driven by German drivers Andr'e Lotterer, Marcel Fassler, and Benoit Treluyer, and traveled 3,201.18 miles (5,151.8 kilometers).

A report from Wall Street Journal says instead of using batteries, the Audi hybrids harvest energy during braking, which is then fed to an electric motor that powers the front wheels using a flywheel. It differs from street hybrids by aiming more toward improved performance over fuel efficiency. Like the Ultra, a very powerful turbo-diesel V6 engine is running its rear wheels.

"The fact that a hybrid won is an awesome accomplishment," Davy Jones, the last American driver to win Le Mans in 1996 told the Wall Street Journal.

Considered the ultimate engineering test, the Le Mans endurance race tests the ability of cars to balance speed with its ability to run for 24 hours on a twisting, 8.5-mile (13.7 km) track without sustaining mechanical damage, while managing the cars' consumables, primarily fuel, tires and braking materials.

The mandated three drivers of each car have stints of over two hours behind the wheel before stopping to exchange drivers.

Toyota took part in the race using hybrid vehicles as well with two TS030's. They however failed to complete the course due to accidents and mechanical failures, where one crashed while overtaking a competitor from Ferrari in the sixth hour, and the other "retired" in the 11th hour. Both the drivers did not sustain serious injuries, though. – N.P. Arboleda