Audi R8 diesel could be a V12
One thing we dig about Audi is the mantle they've assumed as the pioneers in diesel power. Most specifically, making diesels that knock the socks off gasoline engines, and shattering conventional wisdom in the process. As if dominating endurance sports car racing wasn't enough, Audi announced they'd be competing with bio-diesel next year, as we reported earlier. Still not enough? Following the launch of the highly anticipated R8 supercar, Audi revealed they'd be shoehorning a diesel in there, too. Still not enough? The latest reports indicate that the diesel in question could very well be a V12, the same found in the Q7 sport-ute and the A8 luxury sedan. The six-liter unit pumps out that magic figure of 500 horsepower, and a stump-pullin', rip-roarin' 738 lb-ft of torque. Pending the arrival of the V10 derived from the R8's sister, the Lamborghini Gallardo, that would make the diesel the most powerful and quickest version of the R8 available, and a pioneer for diesel supercars.
It's far from confirmed that the V12 diesel will in the end be available in the R8. There are packaging issues to be dealt with, considering the V12 is significantly bigger than a V8 or V10 (no kidding), plus they'd have to fit the advanced filter system in there, too. But "senior board members" have revealed that Audi is hard at work on it, and if the hurdles can be jumped, we could see the R8 diesel on the road by 2009.
[Source: Motor Trend via German Car Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
udubrx7 10:30AM (12/24/2006)
AWD and 738 lb-ft of torque?? SIGN ME UP!
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Jonathan Hicks 10:51AM (12/24/2006)
Tell me this is only a rumor. Its is not a good idea to offer a diesel powered sports car. But a regular gas V12 would make more sense.
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O.I. 10:53AM (12/24/2006)
Who cares, the R8 is hideous.
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chuck goolsbee 12:19PM (12/24/2006)
Mr. Hicks, I want a Diesel-powered sports car. That said, the R8 is not really a "sports" car, more of a GT, or even "supercar". But I applaud Audi for having the balls to offer oil burners in any of their performance-oriented machinery. Diesel is NOT the slow smoky Benz of the 70s. It is the most fuel-efficient, torquiest kick-in-the-pants, option you can have right now, with the added plus of being able to run on alternative fuels. Fuels that both reduce the harmful-to-the-planet emissions and reduce our dependance on foreign oil.
If you've never driven a modern TDI or similar Diesel powered car, I suggest you try it before you diss it.
--chuck
P.S.: Audi... where's my TDI powered TT Roadster??
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bill cottell 9:17PM (12/24/2006)
mercedes already has a diesel sl 500 prototype
and diesel won le mans
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Audi R8 1:00PM (12/24/2006)
That would be great.. the horsepower and torque numbers are crazy. Its about time there is a diesel sportscars in the USA, hopefully it happens.
If you're interested in the Audi R8, be sure to check out http://www.r8talk.com
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pow 3:38PM (12/24/2006)
the gasoline 6.5L V12 from M-B puts out 738lb-ft and 604HP - so i'd rather still have the extra 100HP from this M-B engine and the better sound of the engine reving.
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pow 3:38PM (12/24/2006)
oh, and I forgot,
I agree with #3 - what an ugly car from Audi
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SOhp101 3:53PM (12/24/2006)
It's a shame that even if it comes out, it probably wouldn't be available in CA...
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bepsf 6:30PM (12/24/2006)
"It's is not a good idea to offer a diesel powered sports car. But a regular gas V12 would make more sense."
What exactly makes this a Bad idea? Since when is better fuel mileage and gobs of torque a bad idea for a performance car?
Regular gas V12's have been done ad-nauseum - Why should Audi bother if it was just gonna do a reskinned Lamborghini?
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MikeW 12:36AM (12/25/2006)
Diesel can't be a sports car?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3670746534228765989&q=gumball+2004&hl=en
and you want to be my latex salesman...
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bruddahmanmatt 1:10AM (12/25/2006)
#7 "the gasoline 6.5L V12 from M-B puts out 738lb-ft and 604HP - so i'd rather still have the extra 100HP from this M-B engine and the better sound of the engine reving."
Not counting the DOHC M120 7.3L V12s AMG supplies to Pagani for its Zonda range, the largest displacement V12 MB offers throughout its range is a SOHC 6.0L unit, NOT a 6.5L unit as you've incorrectly stated. Additionally, the 6.0L V12 used in MBs V12 powered AMGs are fitted with twin turbochargers. In fact IIRC ALL of MBs V12 models are currently fitted with twin turbochargers (600s and 65 AMGs).
In any case if Audi chooses to go with a diesel V12 for its R8, that definitely means they'll be catering toward a more relaxed GT oriented demographic. As bad ass as a 500-600hp diesel would be I can't see folks who are attracted to the base R8s 8000 rpm redline being as enthusiastic about an oil burning V12 that's capped at something like 5500-6000 rpm even if it does make an obnoxious amount of low end torque. I know Audi wants to push its TDI technology to the public by showing folks what they can do in the form of an uberpowerful V12, but leave that job to the A8 saloon and the Q7 SUV. If Audi is serious about doing an R8 with a more powerful motor, it's obvious that the right engine for the job is the Gallardo sourced 5.2L V10 currently seeing duty in the S6 and S8. It's either that or a high revving version of the company's corporate W12.
However with Audi pushing the V12 TDI in its Q7 SUV and hopefully its full size A8, I think there's a good chance they'll be discontinuing the W12 in the near future. I can't see them keeping the W12 around if they decide to push the V12 TDI throughout their upper range. With that being said, Bentley would then have to look elsewhere for an engine to put into their Conti/Flying Spur. If that becomes the case, why not a V12 TDI Bentley???
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