Last night Audi took the wraps off the newly red and newly named Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans. And we were there. We just failed to get a picture of the diesel-powered supercar. Well here it is in all its crimson glory, sorry for the delay...
Mechanically the car's story is unchanged from its showing at the Detroit auto show three months ago. It's still powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 diesel generating 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. And the engine is still mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and Audi's now ubiquitous all-wheel-drive system.
The diesel-powered supercar complies with Euro 6 emissions standards that take effect in 2014 thanks to the use of a 2,000-bar common-rail fuel system, piezo injectors, particulate filters in the exhaust and a urea injection system. Audi even parked a cutaway of the high-tech mill next to the newly red sports car for all the world to see its workings.
So far Audi says the R8 V12 TDI Le Mans is still just a concept, but the good money is on a production version in showrooms by the end of the decade.--Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
ateixeira says:
08:07 AM, 03/ 4/08
It's important for diesels to have a halo car, to help change their image, especially here in the USA. This will pave the way for broader acceptance of plain old TDIs.
SubyTrojan says:
08:19 AM, 03/ 4/08
No photos of the Audi R10 TDI Le Mans racer? :( j/k
Who thinks Audi will be able to produce this as a California-legal vehicle?
estreka says:
03:54 PM, 03/ 4/08
Fabulous. I even like the chrome.
marc2410 says:
12:40 PM, 03/ 5/08
its awesome audi is betting their future on diesel and its brilliant because of the performance of this engines