Written by: Autocar staff
Ingolstadt, Germany – 1/7/2008
Audi Readies First-Ever Diesel Supercar
Two weeks before the Detroit motor show opens it doors, Audi’s star of the North American International Auto Show has leaked onto the internet – and according to early reports, it’s a 500hp diesel-powered sports car.
The German car brand will show a design concept called the R8 V12 TDi at Detroit and, just as its name suggests, it’ll be a twelve-cylinder turbodiesel version of the critically acclaimed mid-engined R8.
Although there has been no official confirmation from Audi yet, the R8 V12 TDi should use the same 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 as the Q7. That motor produces a heady 500hp and 738lb ft of torque between 1750- and 3000rpm. Bluetec technology means it’ll also be clean enough to meet emissions standards.
If the response to the hot diesel R8 is positive and Audi puts it into production, the R8 TDi will be a line in the sand in the development of the diesel motor car – the first true diesel-powered supercar, Audi could argue. Expect more on the car to emerge at its unveiling next weekend.
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto...wmodels/42284/
http://www.germancarblog.com/2008/01...o-detroit.html
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...4/audi_r8.html