Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Supercars, Audi
Detroit '08 Preview: V12 diesel-powered Audi R8 TDI to be unveiled
click above to view more images of the 2008 Audi R8
Audi has already publicly revealed it will be showing two vehicles at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. One it called a "stunning" concept car and the other is a new production car making its world debut. One of the two cars will reportedly be an Audi R8 powered by the brand's V12 TDI diesel engine, this according to German mag Auto Motor und Sport. While the R8 TDI is likely destined for production, it's probably not the production car that Audi will debut in Detroit. If it's the "stunning" concept, consider us stunned. The car is projected to have around 500bhp/738 ft-lbs of torque, accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and return 28 mpg, presumably on the highway. That's truly outstanding fuel economy for a supercar, though Corvettes are known to get above 30 mpg while lazily cruising this nation's highways, as well. That said, the equally as powerful 2008 Corvette Z06 is rated by the EPA as 15 city/25 highway mpg. Back to the R8 TDI, Auto Express also reports that since the V12 TDI is much larger than the standard car's 4.2L V8, it will gobble up all available luggage space just to fit. The R8 TDI's appearance in Detroit certainly isn't confirmed by Audi yet, so we'll have to wait until January 13th to see exactly what the German automaker brought to town. We think, however, that it is a safe bet.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Carscoop, Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pete 1:05PM (1/04/2008)
I was hoping they would do this!!
Reply
stefan 1:07PM (1/04/2008)
What kind of idiot wants a diesel sportscar, the sound sucks it can't rev like a petrol car. Diesels are ment to save money and not for sportscars.
Reply
sk 1:15PM (1/04/2008)
Yes, I do like a diesel sports car. Who won the last 24h LeMans Series?
calebe 1:11PM (1/04/2008)
I am.
Chris 1:14PM (1/04/2008)
Ever hear of the Le Mans winning diesel R10??
Audi's diesels are refined and the loads of torque are perfect for the typical American driving style -- stoplight drag races and interstate cruising...
overengineered 1:20PM (1/04/2008)
The sound isn't that bad of a diesel-high-performance-engine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuNtw5XbxJg
soooooo looking forward for a R8 TDI! Anyway, you don't need a loud car when it looks so stunning like the R8 ;-)
Tyo 1:29PM (1/04/2008)
i Hate you.
See Audis Racing record.
i like torque
meshies 1:32PM (1/04/2008)
stefan you are not informed. If they offer the R8 with a diesel I will make sure I purchase one. Before the R8 was a dream, a diesel R8 will be an obsession/need. Monster torque and better fuel efficiency? MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
digitalzombie 8:12PM (1/05/2008)
....
*blink blink* *reread the stupid comment*
HAHAHAHAHA. *walked away shaking his head*
overengineered 1:52PM (1/04/2008)
... and it could just like that: http://www.a3quattro.de/include.php?path=forum/showthread.php&threadid=4120
Well, it will look like that... and with that awesomeness - who needs V8-Sound???
zach 1:54PM (1/04/2008)
stefan, at least make an effort not to be ignorant. just because good, modern diesels haven't been sold in the us in recent years doesn't mean they don't exist.
Franz 3:04AM (1/05/2008)
Turbo diesels are fun to tune, and make ridiculous power and torque. I could care less how high it revs, as long as it goes like stink when I put my foot down.
MikeW 3:35PM (1/05/2008)
Ant and Pete
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3670746534228765989&q=ant+and+pete+site%3Avideo.google.com&total=64&start=30&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7313743227281222482&q=ant+and+pete+site%3Avideo.google.com&total=64&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
Ollie 11:01PM (1/27/2008)
NOT TRUE !!!
A computer managed, turbo charged, common rail, diesel engine breaks all the "rules" typically associated with diesel engines. This modern technology is fast and powerful, fast reving, and quiet too.
Also, the diesel combustion cycle is inherently more efficient than a gasoline (otto cycle) engine as it only burns enough fuel to produce the necessary heat (it is a heat engine), not the 14.5 to 1 air to fuel ratio required by a gasoline engine for combustion.
Ollie 11:02PM (1/27/2008)
Note that the French really liked the Audi diesel Le Mans race car which won last year at Le Mans. Because it was QUIET. It produced its power at lower RPM so it didn't scream and whine like its gasoline competitors.
A diesel engine has awesome torque for its displacement. Michelin had to design special tires for the Le Mans Audi to handle the diesel engine's awesome torque.
garlinski 1:07PM (1/04/2008)
That's a lot of torque!!! As the truck guys say, "that's stump pulling torque!"
CRAZY!
Reply
CentralParkWest99 1:12PM (1/04/2008)
The numbers are great for TQ. But part of the experience of driving an "Exotic" is the sound of a high revving motor as we are all a custom to. Not the sound of something we spun a rod bearing on.
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tek 1:20PM (1/04/2008)
If you've driven an R8 like I have ( and am doing so again today actually) then you'd know that the car isn't quite up to the performance expectations one would grant to a cheap supercar... it needs more power, simply put. I think they would be better off, however, putting the S8/S6 V10 in there and twin turboing that.
The R8 makes a growl but it's nothing special. I would love to see a V12 turbo diesel.
Damn yanks have to ruin everything with their ignorance of diesel...
Carlos 1:25PM (1/04/2008)
Hey know not all Americans are retarded. I being one of the none retarded ones. This car is going to be sweet! I hope it's the all aluminum V12 they have in the R10!
ello 1:37PM (1/04/2008)
Can anyone name me another diesel powered supercar? Oh yeah, there is none, and it's for a reason (since diesel technology has been available for years companies such as Ferrari would have figured it out by now). Diesel engines should be reserved for economy cars, trucks, and off-roaders.