Click above for high-res gallery of the R8 V12 TDI Le Mans
When we heard that there was a 50/50 chance Audi would be offering a production version of its R8 V12 TDI LeMans concept, our interest was piqued. The thought of 737 pound-feet of torque rippling the pavement behind the mid-engined R8 supercar will, unfortunately, remain but a fleeting fantasy in our power-hungry dreams. According to Michael Dick, Audi's head of production, the V12 TDI is not slated for production. That's the bad news... the good news, though, is that there is a coming diesel engine option in the form of Audi's 90 degree 4.2-liter TDI V8. In the Q7 SUV, that engine produces 326 horsepower with torque registering in at 550 pound-feet. While it's no V12, we'll happily take whatever oil burner Audi wants to throw our way. Thanks for the tip, Christian!
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[Source: GT Spirit via German Car Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mobius_1 @ Mar 20th 2008 8:50AM
I would love that!
Pete @ Mar 20th 2008 9:01AM
Me thinks thou doth complain too much ;)... 550lb-ft. of torque will easily waste a set of perfectly good rubberbands in a matter of moments.
MikeW @ Mar 20th 2008 9:20AM
Hopefully Audi decides to go for power with the V8 diesel.
Set the target to match the peak power of the R8 gasoline version, with 50% more torque.
The 4.2 makes 414hp in the RS4, so it makes a smidge more than that in the R8. (take a look at the intake/exhaust system differences, +dry sump)
So 425hp and almost 490ft-lbs would be bithin' for the diesel.
and don't forget the tall gearing (7.5, 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5, 45 mph / 1k)
Mehul Kamdar @ Mar 20th 2008 9:32AM
So it the V 12 tdi going to be a Bentley motor as some rumors have suggested, or is it going to be restricted to the Q7?
The V8 could be a superb engine for the R8 as it would offer significantly better fuel efficiency than the V 12 in this car and it would be a fantastic performer as well.
Very interesting and thanks for the news!
SPG @ Mar 20th 2008 9:38AM
It's still cool, still cool.
asdf asdfds sd @ Mar 20th 2008 10:28AM
not like anyone reading this site could afford either...
T Raman @ Mar 20th 2008 4:43PM
Wow! An informed opinion from an omniscient soul who knows the financial status of evryone posting here! I salute thee oh prophet who knows everything about everyone!
Would you please tell us, since you know so much, how many R8s Audi would sell at each dealership in the world?
pmiddle5 @ Mar 20th 2008 11:08AM
It isnt as "supercar" because the 8 wont be as exotic as the 12 but this way they get to keep luggage space and even better gas mileage. Yay!...? I cant imagine it making less then 350hp but asking for the diesel to make 100hp/liter would be quite dramatic.
Olivier @ Mar 20th 2008 11:42AM
not as dramatic as you think. VW already has a 2 litter 4 cyl kicking out 170hp, BMW has also a 4cyl 2L kicking out 177hp or 88.5hp/L.
Audi's "performance" diesel with 326hp for 4.2L has a measly 77.6hp/L, hardly "performance" if you ask me.
I am confident however that they will get the engine roar that this needs with absolutely zerp fumes on the exhaust.
I want to be able to trash this oil burner without anybody seeing any smoke other than from my tires'
mrx3m3 @ Mar 20th 2008 3:18PM
BMW already has 4 cyl. 2.0 l diesel pushing 204 hp and 400 Nm - 123d ftw :D
RJ @ Mar 20th 2008 4:44PM
One word - aftermarket.
With a diesel, as long as the factory put in a good set of internals, the tuning potential is endless.
Look at the ISB Cummins in the dodge Ram; there are many trucks running over 1000 hp and 2000 lb-ft on STOCK INTERNALS, with only 5.9L.
This V8 should easily match the factory V12 with a good tune, aftermarket turbos and injectors.
Overengineered @ Mar 20th 2008 11:25AM
They just say that to sell their less powerful R8-variants. And at the end, they reveal the V12 TDI at the New York Auto Show 2010!
Don't take my hopes, or I would jump out of my window immediatly!
BAMF @ Mar 20th 2008 2:16PM
I believe. I'm with you. We can jump together.
(Audi I'm begging you for the V12 TDI!!!!)
spdracerut @ Mar 20th 2008 12:14PM
They are getting close to 100hp/L with diesels. BMW gets 270hp from the 3.0L in the 335Ds. So 375hp seems feasible from the Audi...
Ken @ Mar 20th 2008 1:23PM
Realize this could mean the price could be about the same as the current R8. I was hearing the V12 diesel could be as much as $50, 75k more than the current R8 due to all the extra work.
Nick @ Mar 20th 2008 1:29PM
Wouldn't it be cool if they called it the R10, a la the lemans TDI cars?