Did we say 50/50? Audi R8 V12 TDI not coming, 4.2 V8 TDI instead

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Europe, Supercars, Audi

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!

Gallery: Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

[Source: GT Spirit via German Car Blog]

Did we say 50/50? Audi R8 V12 TDI not coming, 4.2 V8 TDI instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torque monster: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI launches in Europe

Alex Nunez — Wed, 02 May 2007 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Audi

Click image for hi-res photo gallery

With 326 horsepower and 550 lb-ft on call under the driver's right foot, the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is the world's most powerful diesel SUV (at least until the Q7 V12 TDI launches). It's 4.2L 90-degree V8 incorporates a pair of variable-geometry turbos (one for each cylinder bank), and channels all that juice to the four corners via quattro AWD. It's pretty spry, too. It does the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) thing in just 6.4 seconds and will keep going until the speedo hits 146 mph, if you have the desire to explore those limits. Well, you have to live in Europe, too. This Q7's not available here, unfortunately.

Inside, the carnival of luxury you'd expect to find is present and accounted for. Leather, wood, and aluminum cover most of the touch surfaces, and Alcantara adorns the headliner. If you have money to spend, the stupendous optional Bang & Olufsen audio system is a nice choice, as is the Audi Music Interface, which lets you control your iPod using the MMI system. A lane departure warning system is now available, too, so that €70,000+ base price can quickly climb skyward as the goodies are added in.

Of course, one of the best features this particular Q7 brings to the table is its combined-cycle fuel economy rating of a smidge over 21 mpg. Have fun finding another big V8 luxury blingwagon that can do that.

[Source: Audi AG]

Gallery: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI (EU)

Continue reading Torque monster: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI launches in Europe

Torque monster: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI launches in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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