New details have emerged on Audi's upcoming diesel supercar, internally known as Scorpion.Â
Set to be called R10 in production form, the car will borrow much of its technology from Audi's Le Mans-winning R18 e-tron race car, including its drivetrain.
According to Car and Driver, the R10 will use a version of the 3.7L V6 turbodiesel found under the hood of the R18 e-tron, along with the race car's front-mounted hybrid system. Total output remains unknown, but both horsepower and toque could top the 700 mark.
Audi was considering Volkswagen's corporate 3.0 TDI -- which is used in vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg -- for the R10, but decided that engine was too run-of-the-mill for a high-end sports car.
"It wouldn’t make sense to use anything but the R18′s racing engine in the Scorpion,” an inside source told Car and Driver.
Audi might develop a carbon fiber chassis specifically for the R10 in order to keep the weight as low as possible. Â If that route is written off as too expensive, the car might ride on the upcoming MSB platform that will underpin the next-gen R8, among other high-end Volkswagen products.
Platform aside, the R8 and the R10 will be completely different inside and out.  The R10 will be what Audi quattro boss Franciscus Van Meel bills as "the absolute best supercar" available, a no-compromise track-bred machine that will be able to take on the McLaren P1.Â
The R10 is still at the embryonic stage and it has yet to be given the green light for production. Â Key members of Audi's top brass see potential in adding a halo car to the lineup, however.
"There is definitely room for a super sports car above the R8," said Wolfgang Durheimer, Audi's head of technical development, in an interview with Auto Express. Â "If we made this a diesel hybrid it could be a hot seller. Â What always sells is performance - if its quick, has low consumption and looks cool, I'm sure it would be a success."
If Audi moves ahead with the R10 its debut is at least five years away. Â
