All Torque, No Action: Audi reportedly cancels R8 TDI

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:59:00 EST

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans concept - Click above for a hi-res image gallery

If anyone could have done a diesel supercar, it would have been Audi. After achieving utter domination in Le Mans racing with its R10 TDI, the German automaker unveiled two successive turbodiesel concept versions of the R8 supercar at the Detroit show and then at the Geneva salon in 2008. But after whetting our appetites for an oil-burning supercar with instant power delivery and endless reserves of torque, Audi has reportedly canceled development of its R8 TDI program.

Apparently, the R8 was not originally designed to accommodate the company's enormous V12 turbodiesel engine, and re-engineering the car was proving far too costly for Audi to justify under these financial circumstances, especially when the American market, which accounts for 1/3rd of R8 sales, is marred by diesel prices that are higher than gas. Fortunately Audi's already given us the 5.2-liter V10 FSI and has the convertible version in the works, but a diesel R8 just isn't in the cards.

Gallery: Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

Gallery: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans

[Source: Auto Express]

All Torque, No Action: Audi reportedly cancels R8 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 May 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoExpress has the details on the R8 diesel

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Supercars, Audi

click the R8 for a high-res gallery suitable for wallpaper

When the Audi R8 first appeared as a concept car several years ago, it was inspired by the then dominant R8 Le Mans prototypes. Since that time, the R8 concept has developed into a full production car while the racing R8 has been superseded by the new diesel R10. It's only fitting that the road going R8 should also get a diesel engine.

As reported previously, Audi has three potential diesels that could go into the R8 ranging from the 3.0L V6 to the monster V12 that was shown in the Q7, but it looks like the middle 4.2L V8 will be getting the nod. The 322hp/560lb-ft V8 is expected to be boosted even further to yield a 0-60 time of five seconds and top end of 160mph. Lots of sports cars can manage that but how many of them can get 25mpg while doing it?

AutoExpress maintains that the diesel-powered R8 will come after the V10 version expected to be released next year. Pricing is estimated to be around £70,000 for the TDI variant and £85,000 for the five-liter V10.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

AutoExpress has the details on the R8 diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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