When the
audi r8 first appeared as a concept car several years ago, it was inspired by the then dominant
R8 Le Mans prototypes. Since that time, the
R8 concept has developed into a full production car while the racing
R8 has been superseded by the new diesel R10. It's only fitting that the road going
R8 should also get a diesel engine.
Audi has three potential diesels that could go into the
R8 ranging from the 3.0L V6 to the monster V12 that was shown in the
Q7, but it looks like the middle 4.2L V8 will be getting the nod. The 322hp/560lb-ft V8 is expected to be boosted even further to yield a 0-60 time of five seconds and top end of 160mph. Lots of sports cars can manage that but how many of them can get 25mpg while doing it?
AutoExpress maintains that the diesel-powered
R8 will come after the V10 version expected to be released next year. Pricing is estimated to be around £70,000 for the TDI variant and £85,000 for the five-liter V10.