Diesel engine for Audi R8?

[Rory Phoulorie]

German magazine breaks embargo on V12 diesel R8.


Auto Motor Und Sport in Germany has, according to World Car Fans, sent out its January issue with embargo-busting shots of a V12 diesel R8, which is set to make its debut on 13 January at the Detroit motorshow.

Apparently this is nothing more than a design study but, if feedback is good, the car could make it into �mass� production. Although putting a diesel in a supercar may seem odd, it actually makes a lot of sense from Audi�s point of view. They�ve spent the last two seasons dominating sportscar racing with the diesel LMP1 R10, which has one of the most advanced diesel engines ever built fitted in the back � a 6.0 litre turbocharged V12 with an all-alloy crankcase (a big deal in a diesel) � so begin able to release a sports car with this engine fitted to it is a marketer's dream.

The article claims that 62mph will be dispatched in just 4.2 seconds, with a top speed north of 200mph, but with 738lb-ft of torque, it�s the in gear acceleration that will be absolutely mind bending. To put the torque figure in context: a Ferrari Enzo produces 484lb-ft, the Lamborghini LP640 generates 487lb-ft and even the biofuel-powered Koenigsegg CCXR can only muster an additional 2 torques, at 740lb-ft.

All three of these hypercars will see fuel consumption figures under the 10mpg mark, yet Audi claim that the R8 V12 TDi (who knows what it will end up being called) will hit 23mpg.

crash.net