Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Unveiled
Mar 4, 2008 | 07:51 AM
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Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Unveiled Audi has already shown an R8 with a diesel engine at the Detroit Auto Show, the Audi R8 V12 TDI, but it seems that, with the impression that car has caused (jaws hitting the floor!) in a market were diesel vehicles are not very desirable, the company had to show its creation in an Old World auto show. And there it is: the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans at the Geneva Motor Show.
It looks like the German automaker has forgotten the previous presentation of an R8 with that V12 diesel engine, since it refers to the TDI Le Mans as a “first”, but it probably meant that for the production vehicle. Since concept cars do not count as “first” for anything, and Audi presents the TDI Le Mans as a concept, the idea of presenting a sports car with a V12 diesel engine will only be groundbreaking if it reaches the dealers. And it surely will. One more sign this car is aimed for production is its name: does anyone remember what the R8 was called before it was officially presented as a new addition to the brand’s range? Audi Le Mans quattro Concept. Coincidence? We do not think so.
Performance numbers are exactly the same ones the Audi R8 V12 TDI has already used to amaze the North American public: 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 s, more than 300 km/h of top speed and a 6-litre engine that produces 500 cv and 1,000 Nm. It also features ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers in all four wheels, a bodyshell that weights only 210 kg and many other characteristics that can also be found on the regular (if a car like this can be called so) R8 and, therefore, are already known. Anyway, the most important question about this car is not what it can do. It is when.
It looks like the German automaker has forgotten the previous presentation of an R8 with that V12 diesel engine, since it refers to the TDI Le Mans as a “first”, but it probably meant that for the production vehicle. Since concept cars do not count as “first” for anything, and Audi presents the TDI Le Mans as a concept, the idea of presenting a sports car with a V12 diesel engine will only be groundbreaking if it reaches the dealers. And it surely will. One more sign this car is aimed for production is its name: does anyone remember what the R8 was called before it was officially presented as a new addition to the brand’s range? Audi Le Mans quattro Concept. Coincidence? We do not think so.
Performance numbers are exactly the same ones the Audi R8 V12 TDI has already used to amaze the North American public: 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 s, more than 300 km/h of top speed and a 6-litre engine that produces 500 cv and 1,000 Nm. It also features ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers in all four wheels, a bodyshell that weights only 210 kg and many other characteristics that can also be found on the regular (if a car like this can be called so) R8 and, therefore, are already known. Anyway, the most important question about this car is not what it can do. It is when.
Mar 4, 2008 | 11:39 AM
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I was hoping that the performance numbers would have been much better after jamming the V12TDI in there...those numbers are a bit disappointing.
Torque is mighty, but I suspect for the same performance they will charge a lot more for the 12.
Torque is mighty, but I suspect for the same performance they will charge a lot more for the 12.
Mar 4, 2008 | 11:45 AM
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