Autoblog

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans

The Audi R8 V12 TDI concept that made such a splash in Detroit has a fraternal twin, and it's headed to Geneva. Finished in Brilliant Red paint and dubbed the R8 TDI Le Mans -- the association with the fabled endurance race carries a lot more weight on the Continent -- the car arrives in Geneva with the same impressive spec sheet as its silver counterpart. A 6.0L V12 TDI is crammed in the space behind the R8's passenger compartment. It packs a bit of a punch, too -- 500 horsepower and enough torque (737 lb-ft) to alter the earth's rotation allow for a 0-62 mph time of just 4.2 seconds and a 186 mph top end. That's Euro 6-compliant power, too. Clean and mean -- emphasis on the mean.

We'll have live shots of it for you tomorrow.


[Source: Audi]

click above for more gorgeous high-res shots of the Audi R8 V12 TDI

Today Audi brought some more of its Le Mans-conquering technology to the street in the form of the new R8 V-12 TDI. The R8 V12 TDI is a concept that melds the 6.0L V-12 diesel from last years Q7 concept with the award winning R8 sports car. The concept engine shares a cylinder count with the race-winning R10, but it's actually a completely new engine with a 60-degree bank angle instead of the 90 degrees used on the race engine. While the 500 hp is only par for the course in its class, the 738 lb-ft of torque is enough to shred all four tires with ease. While the R8 V12 TDI storms to 62mph in 4.2 seconds and maxes out at 186mph, it also manages to get 23 MPG. The combination of a 29,000-psi direct-inject fuel injection system, particulate filters and urea injection allows this beast to pass 2014 EuroVI emissions standards, too. Check out our live high-res images of the R8 V12 TDI in the gallery below. These are our best shots from the show so far, so enjoy!

UPDATE: Video of the live reveal added after the jump!

[Source: Audi]

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]