Audi R8: More than the Talk of the Town!

An interesting article of speculation around the Audi R8 and the possibilities of a TDI diesel powered engine making its way into the Audi R8 to boost its performance. It was just a little over a month ago when Audi was caught testing the R8 with a V-10 FSI, similar to what you can find in the Audi S6 & S8. While the diesel engine may produce less horsepower, there is no question it would be more fuel efficient and deliver more torque.



Here are a few excerpts:

The gears are beginning to turn on a new groundbreaking phase for Audi, which is set to revolutionize the auto industry in another way: through the use of diesel power. Diesels aren't anything new, of course, and while Audi has had great success using diesel power on the track, especially with its new TDI Le Mans winning R10 racer, they're far from the first to incorporate Rudolf's invention in race or road cars.On the contrary, they're looking to be the first to create a diesel-powered supercar, based on nothing less than their brand new R8.....

.....Instantly, the engine that Audi aficionados will think of is the brand's flagship diesel, the majestic 6.0-liter V12 TDI that develops 500 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque, although it probably wouldn't make the cut for its size and weight. Keeping in mind that the R8 is a very small vehicle, the cast-iron and vermicular graphite block would completely alter the car's balance and therefore its handling characteristics. Instead, insiders are reporting that the R8 TDI will feature Audi's newly developed 4.2-liter V8 TDI engine......

.....The unique characteristics of the diesel engine will be as interesting to exploit in a road going performance vehicle as they have been on the track, although this engine makes nearly 25-percent less horsepower than the current gasoline V8 engine (of the same displacement), the losses are more than minimized by its staggering 561 lb-ft of torque. This engine should also drop the R8's fuel consumption by about 20- to 22-percent.

[Source: Automobile.com]

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