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Diesel Audi R8 planned

Audi is set to become the first to build and sell a diesel-powered supercar for the road with the unveiling if its R8 V12 TDi at the North American Auto Show in Detroit next week. The R8 will use the same 500bhp V12 turbodiesel that is used in the Q7 V12 TDi.

The R8 V12 TDi is being called a concept by Audi in an attempt to keep its plans shrouded in some mystery, but company insiders say the diesel R8 will be on sale sooner rather than later if public reaction is positive. With a predicted 0-62mph time of four seconds and a top speed estimated at 200mph, the R8 V12 TDi should have plenty of takers, even if Audi has not yet mentioned a figure for fuel economy.

The R8 V12 TDi follows on from Audi enormous success at Le Mans and in the ALMS endurance racing series with diesel-fuelled racing cars. The R8 will use a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 turbodiesel that produces 500bhp and 738lb.ft of torque. This will drive through a sequential gearbox with paddle shift and the R8 V12 TDi will have quattro four-wheel drive.

As well as the R8 V12 TDi, Audi is also working on a V10-engined petrol version of the R8, which will have around 550bhp to be the ultimate version of the firm's supercar. No dates have been given for the V12 TDi or V10, but expect to see at least one of them on sale by the start of 2009 with a price upwards of £90,000.

Alisdair Suttie

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