Autoblog

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!

[Source: GT Spirit via German Car Blog]

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]