Audi shows diesel R8 concept

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Biodiesel Cars & Hybrid Cars

Audi shows diesel R8 concept

Audi has stolen everyone's thunder at the Detroit Show with its R8 V12 TDI concept. A turbodiesel R8 has been rumoured for a while but Audi has finally, and comprehensively, confirmed it with its sensational concept model at the Cobo Center, Detroit. It's a bold statement too, Audi showing its groundbreaking TDI concept in a country that still largely sees diesel fuel as a dirty means of powering trucks. That's bound to change after a visit to the Audi stand, particularly as the R8 TDI's V12 6.0-litre engine delivers a quite staggering 493bhp and eye-watering 737lb.ft of torque - from just 1,750rpm.

Audi claims that's enough to see this genre-busting supercar sprint to 62mph in just 4.2 seconds and able to exceed 186mph. Impressive as that 0-62mph time is, it's the in-gear acceleration that's likely to be more incredible with all that torque on offer. But why a turbodiesel supercar? Audi has championed the fuel's use in sportscar racing, its all-conquering R10 racers demonstrating that diesel's fuel economy and emissions advantages are just as pertinent on the racetrack. And that transfers to the road, the R8 V12 TDI concept's engine fulfilling the Euro 6 emissions standards that are likely to take effect in 2014. While Audi isn't making any official claims as to its economy, a figure in the early 20mpg area should be achievable. That might not sound great, but in a car with the sort of performance the R8 V12 TDI concept offers it's pretty remarkable.

As ever Audi revealed the car to the sound of Bryan Adams' crooning, the Canadian rocker's presence doing little to divert attention from the car itself. More than a mere engine job the R8 V12 TDI concept has had a visual make-over too. The front gets more aggressive air intakes either side of the blacked-out centre grille, while the 'sideblades' on the cars flanks are wider in the bottom portion to direct more air into the engine compartment. There's a new restyled glass engine cover that rises up and over to create a glass roof, punctuated by a huge air intake, while a larger spoiler features on the rear. Up front under that more purposeful face is a deeper front splitter, other exterior changes being sparkly chrome rims covering carbon-ceramic brakes. Inside the changes are minimal, though the cockpit is airier thanks to the glass roof, and a manual six-speed transmission features. A feature unlikely to make the showroom is a satellite navigation system with full details of all the world's major racetracks in it. There's no word on a production version of the R8 TDI as yet, but we'd be very surprised not to see it in showrooms in the next year or so.

Kyle Fortune