Audi considering diesel option for R8

Audi could offer a diesel version of its new R8 sports car in the future, according to Wolfgang Hatz, Audi's executive director of powertrain development. Hatz made the comments in the latest issue of Italy's Quattroruote magazine.

Hatz said Audi hopes to improve consumer perception of its diesels by further reducing noisiness of the engines. He said he also hopes Audi will offer a diesel engine in the R8 sports car. The obvious choice would be the V12 TDI motor first used in the R10 race car, and now available in the Audi Q7. The engine produces 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.