Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept in Detroit
January 5, 2008 by George Skentzos
Audi are set to showcase a diesel-powered rendition of its highly acclaimed R8 supercar at this years North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Building upon Audi’s revolutionary diesel-powered R10 LeMans racecar, this new concept will use the same V12 TDI engine as previously seen in the Q7.
One German auto magazine has publsihed images of the V12 TDI variant, which have naturally made their way onto the internet. They reveal not only the V12 TDI insignia on the bootlid, but also revised front and rear bumpers.
Developing 373kW and an enormous 1000Nm, the V12 turbodiesel produces significantly more power than the current petrol V8 which manages only 313kW and less than half the torque at 430Nm.
In addition, the utilization of diesel technology means that fuel consumption will be dramatically improved. In the Q7 the same engine manages 11.9 litres per 100km, and is rumoured to drop to as low as 8.4 litres in the comparatively lightweight R8 body.
Despite being merely a concept, current speculation indicates that future production has already been planned.
One minor drawback however is that the larger V12 engine has been pushed back into the luggage area meaning the R8’s reputation as a practical tourer may be compromised, however luggage area at the front remains intact.
Print it: 
Monster Diesel R8 = SÜSSE MELASSE (sweet treacle)
V12 Running at 8.4L/100km… Cool!
A bloody fast car with heaps of torque, it looks good and it only does 8.4L/100km!
Unfortunately its a photoshop and is not going to happen see here http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=3617682
screw luggage space, a supercar with a practical fuel consumption figure…dont see that everyday
Well, your comments are far more positive than the ones I have read on autoblog.nl, a dutch website. The people there are more like “oh no this can’t be happening. A diesel engine in a car like that?!? You will never have that typical sound if you put a diesel engine in a supercar…”
The 8.4L/100km for a car like this is super! Imagine, here in Belgium we pay almost 2.00 AUD (+- 1.18 EUR) for a litre of diesel. Petrol is around 2.35 AUD. So you get more power and better fuel consumption. But hey I guess supercar owners don’t complain about gas prices… :-D
I look forward to a time when we in America finally have a substantial diesel alternative to choose from. Of course, that would mean that oil companies might earn less (as consumption rates would fall), so I guess I just have to continue waiting.
Great fuel economy in a Supercar……..thats a first!
Not sure it matters though
I think that would be an awesome car to drive, imagine riding that 1000Nm wave of torque in such a light car!
The roll-on acceleration would be absolutely amazing at almost any speed!
Does it have a cast iron block? if so,what effect will that have on the handling compared to the near perfect standard R8?
I think [know] the weight is going to be a issue
Rather a Ferrari F430 on LPG :-)
Thats just me though!!
Cheers
F-0
BM – Come on that’ll only wind me up. What really matters is diesel rules the roost. This I think was the same engine used in Audis Le Mans racer….which of course won!!
Frugal…..that was very funny!
Lets not get into a argument NO NAME…….I really couldn’t give two tossers what you think about V8s so why should you care what I think about fuel economy and diesels?
I know why diesels win cause they don’t have to make as many pit stops cause their more efficient…..ok I get that….doesn’t mean I have to buy one though! Maybe Ill consider it when they make the first diesel M3…..HEY!
Diesel M3…that’ll be the day, theres about a much chance of Daewoo making a decent car than a diesel Emmer.
I do not really have a problem with the petrol thing, just don’t understand what anyone would want to drive a petrol over diesel personally. I for one miss the burble of V6’s and V8’s as they are not as popular here. All the BM’s and Mercs are quietened down here to comply with drive-by noise regs.
Of current cars the RS4 has the best V8 noise in my mind.