Audi’s R8 supercar has caused quite a stir with its V8 and V10 gas variants, but Audi thought it would change things around by adding a V12 diesel into the mix for good measure. This R8 concept car deviates wildly from traditional gas-powered sports cars, but with a race-proven turbocharged diesel it might be one of the most promising exotic concept cars ever created.
Power for the concept comes from the automakers race-derived 6.0 liter V12 diesel motor, which was first used in the R10 Le Mans competition car, and is now available in the Audi Q7. The engine produces 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm.
The car sprints to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, according to Audi. Like most German automakers, Audi is probably reporting a very conservative acceleration time for this car.
Other highlights of the show car include a glass roof, an increased use of carbon fiber, revised front and rear aprons, and larger air intakes all around.
The car also features all-LED headlights, which are visually very appealing, not to mention very energy efficient and bright. With a color temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, the light emitted resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light.
Earlier reports suggested that Audi would equip the R8 with a diesel engine for the 2009 model year, but the latest word is that the TDI R8 may never make it into production. Audi engineers are reporting that fitting the turbochargers into the allotted space is proving impossible, and the costs associated with making it fit would make it impossible for Audi to ever turn a profit from a TDI R8.
Does this mean the R8 lineup will eventually include V8, V10, and V12 powerplants? It’s too soon to know for sure, but we can hope.
03/03, 10:40 PM
posted by:
5ohstang
they should have the v10 gas and the v12 tdi. the concept looks a little over the top with the huge ass grille, i like the looks of the v8 version a lot better
03/03, 10:51 PM
posted by:
A4
i love audi sex me audi sex me
03/03, 11:02 PM
posted by:
Ian
Dope car. End of Story.
03/03, 11:12 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Audi goes to great lengths to make cars that purport to appeal to enthusiasts, yet always forgets that persnicketty little detail that transmissions belong in the back, not the front.
03/03, 11:24 PM
posted by:
Astonman12
better pictures with this Le Mans version. love the car to death of course. my dads friend should be picking his up in April. cant wait, he said he would let me drive it when we go out to the track together.
03/03, 11:38 PM
posted by:
pencilDick10mmwide
Figgin Nazimobiles … I hate Audi.
03/04, 12:09 AM
posted by:
bigp
i want one even if i have to sale my house and move back to the hood
03/04, 12:13 AM
posted by:
carnchy
R8 V12 TDI Le Mans inspired…500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque… Brilliant red…what could you ask for? Everyone was stunned when the R8 surfaced. The world debut of the R8 created a big bang which made it popular all over the world. It has won various awards i believe. I am a CTS fan, and I fell inlove with the ‘09 model especially when I saw its enhanced fascia and Cadillac park lights assembly. But when i saw the newest version of the R8, i was left in a middle of a mixed up confusion. But i believe I’ll go for the R8!
03/04, 12:41 AM
posted by:
cwwilson
HOT.
03/04, 1:53 AM
posted by:
mg198242
I’m sure this will be produced and Audi will announce this fact this year. Now the R8 is very well received all over the world, so they must deliver a 911 Turbo beater too, and to prove themselves also as mass production supercars builders and not just as supercars concepts builders. This will be the way to go finally when launched !
03/04, 2:30 AM
posted by:
Veda
carnchy: While I truly love Audi, I fail to see how the R8 is anything other than a more expensive Jag XK. That is an expensive GT. Audi isn’t known for good performance to dollar ratio and looking at the specs of the base model R8 it’s no different. Sure it looks good and the media refers to it as a supercar but isn’t the Nissan GT-R faster and more nimble? If, not how much better is it compared to the GT-R? How is it compared to the M6? A Gallardo can get away with it simply because people buy it just to show off. An Audi better has real performance compared to the competitors cause it’s a mass market brand.
03/04, 7:18 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Veda: German engineering aside (including Audi’s impressive feats with Diesel), the car only needs to be looked at to see why the car is super. Even without moving, without an engine… the car sets the hearts racing of many enthusiasts…
It does not show off the same way a Gallardo does… It does it better, with a quiet dignity and elegance (at least in original guise) while yet able to give off a sly menacing front… It’s so hard to explain, but it’s just beautiful enough that it works.
03/04, 7:37 AM
posted by:
Veda
JohnnyBlazE: That’s exactly my point. It’s all about emotion and when it comes to substance it’s not really all that impressive. Just like the XKR. At least with the Lambo you can use it to show off. With the R8, it’s all about personal satisfaction.
03/04, 7:44 AM
posted by:
stick2clutch
One word… WICKED!
03/04, 7:50 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Veda: Sometimes personal satisfaction is all you need…!
If I wanted to show off I could have got a newer BMW but I went for the E30 because I like the look myself and I love the feel of the road you get… Personally no other 3 series could compare (Would like a bigger engine than my 318is has but sometimes the poke isn’t as important as the pleasure the M-Tech suspension gives
)
03/04, 7:50 AM
posted by:
doghis
i bet they repainted the old one red…cheap bastards…
just kidding….but seriously….F**CKING AWESOME!!!!!!
03/04, 7:54 AM
posted by:
sunshine1810
The silver R8 TDI Concept car looks good. The regular version of the R8 doesn’t look great in red but this concept looks just evil [amazing in red]. Silver is practical while red is outrageous. If the R8 TDI becomes a reality and if it looks like either concept car, assuming I had the money I probably would order it in red just like the Geneva concept car. Great job Audi. Now give the rest of your line up the same treatment.
03/04, 7:58 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
That big dumb-ass roller blade brake actually looks semi-okay with the brilliant red color.
03/04, 9:22 AM
posted by:
roger426
I want this and the Q7 V12 TDI in my Garage…
03/04, 7:52 PM
posted by:
DSG_MASTER
This car is F’n awesome! All that power and I bet it still gets 30+ mpg.
03/04, 9:17 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
The R10 650bhp was 5.73 MPG, and that was the figure Audi said and before the FIA said Disels had to run smaller fuelcells.
Even with a detuned version your still looking at anywhere from 10mpg-15mpg with a V12 Diesel Turbo engine @ >500bhp.
The Twinturbo V10 as in the RS6 has been axed.
Audi plans to keep the 4 cylinder programs alive but cutting back on V8,V10 petrol engines.
03/05, 5:16 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Best R8 version yet. The roof-mounted air intake is innovative and beautifully executed. I hope Audi makes a stripped down, club racer version.
03/05, 10:19 AM
posted by:
jonmiles
I’m touching myself right now