Audi's Diesel Supercar

Back when the R8 was launched, pundits wondered about the wisdom of launching an Audi supercar, undercutting its own Lamborghini products in terms of price while offering blistering dynamics and performance. Now it all makes sense, though, because who else would get away with a diesel supercar except Audi? Its two-time Le Mans-winning R10 TDi racer has dominated GT racing since it was launched in 2006 making this new R8 V12 TDi the perfect vehicle to carry that technology to the roads, proving to sceptical Americans that diesel can be sexy.The R8 TDi 'study' is powered by an iron-block, twin-turbo V12 diesel engine with a displacement of 5.9-litres and an output of 500hp and 1,000Nm - enough poke for a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of over 300 km/h. Peak torque is produces at just 1,750 rpm, however, so it's likely the R8 feels a lot faster than even the figures suggest and with so many cylinders it's likely to be a silky beast as well. More importantly, the R8 V12 TDI already fulfils the Euro 6 emissions standard that should take effect in 2014 and is clean enough for use in all 50 American states thanks to Audi's new 'AdBlue' urea exhaust injection system.A six-speed manual is standard, as is quattro all-wheel drive (with torque apportioned 40:60 front to rear to optimise balance), while the only visual differences are slightly wider wheel arches, larger side air intakes, double strakes on the front air intakes and the NACA air-duct in the middle of the roof. The R8 diesel concept also showcases a new glass roof option, new all-LED headlights, a larger rear spoiler and a new rear diffuser. Some of these tweaks will find their way onto production R8s while the V12 TDi engine is likely to join the R8 range in 2009 as big brother to the upcoming the 2.0-litre turbo diesel Audi TT.