It is being rumored that Audi is going to bring a V12 turbodiesel R8 to the Detroit Auto Show this month.
The diesel powered R8 is expected to be a concept, but according to rumors the car is already planned for production. The V12 engine will produce around 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque while getting 28mpg. The engine is the same engine that is going to be offered in the Q7 SUV later this year.
Since the V12 engine is much bigger than the current V8, pretty much all of the luggage space is going to be taken for the new larger engine.
Audi already announced that the automaker will be unveiling a new production car and a concept at the upcoming show, so it will be interesting to see if the R8 TDI is going to be one of them.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (9)
Nice a super car with 28mpg. I wonder if that is combined, city, or highway.
If I was in the market for 1 of these cars that is the 1 I would get.
Posted by mf | January 4, 2008 6:08 PM
Posted on January 4, 2008 18:08
Yeah if I had 175K I would want one as well. I am sure the Diesel is going to cost more than the standard version seeing as it makes more power. I wonder how fast the big TDi is going to hustle to 60.
Posted by Travis | January 4, 2008 11:54 PM
Posted on January 4, 2008 23:54
You guys are on CRACK!
Anyone who buys a $100k+ exotic wants a high revving powerplant with a progressive, racecar like powerband. Give me one with Lambo's V-10...
Posted by Noya | January 5, 2008 3:45 AM
Posted on January 5, 2008 03:45
"mf:
Nice a super car with 28mpg. I wonder if that is combined, city, or highway.
If I was in the market for 1 of these cars that is the 1 I would get."
Yes, thats what everybody who buys a car like that is worried about, MPG. The Diesel would throw off the weight distribution I bet. Its a cool idea though.
Posted by Alex | January 5, 2008 1:34 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 13:34
I have a feeling that (given the amount of tuning work put into the R8 already) a diesel powered version would be surprisingly competent. It's not like the engineers wouldn't consider the weight and engine characteristics when designing a turbodiesel version. One would assume the suspension and drivetrain would have to change along with it.
And in response to Noya: Keep in mind that the Le Mans winning Audi prototype cars are all diesels as well; and they're a hell of a lot faster around a track than any supercar I can think of.
Posted by Bliss | January 5, 2008 6:53 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 18:53
I have a feeling that (given the amount of tuning work put into the R8 already) a diesel powered version would be surprisingly competent. It's not like the engineers wouldn't consider the weight and engine characteristics when designing a turbodiesel version. One would assume the suspension and drivetrain would have to change along with it.
And in response to Noya: Keep in mind that the Le Mans winning Audi prototype cars are all diesels as well and they're a hell of a lot faster around a track than any supercar I can think of.
Posted by Bliss | January 5, 2008 6:53 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 18:53
This is really cool. The only problem is that it still doesn't change the fact that you can get a brand new C6 that outperforms the car in every category for almost half the price AND at about the same mpg as this much more efficient TDI version.
But yes, I do realize that performance isn't the main reason people seem to buy sportscars, that the main reason is to have something that is fancy and draws a lot of attention/has a name that is associated with being really fancy.
Posted by 2ms | January 5, 2008 8:36 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 20:36
@2ms
The Corvette lacks the asthetics to be considered as competition for the R8. But I agree with you that I'd buy the vette, but hey, I'm a cheap car lover.
I hope the don't put the Lamborghini's V10 in the R8. It's LAMBORGHINI's. It's the only thing that makes a Lamborghini a Lamborghini, Audi builds the rest of the car. This car will be fine with such a ridiculous diesel engine. Audi makes the best ones in the world! It would only be fitting for the car named after the diesel to have a diesel.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 7, 2008 8:27 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 08:27
Great car design: very attractive, lightweight, advanced materials. I think the diesel is a nice twist (I like choices) but IMO not really that innovative for a 'green' supercar effort. At this price range I would like to see someone go up against Tesla Motors and put some innovative competition in that area.
Posted by Kell | January 7, 2008 9:52 AM
Posted on January 7, 2008 09:52