Audi R8 to get a diesel engine?
The latest Audi R8 super-car may in the future be powered by a diesel powerplant.


That would sound pretty weird just a couple of years ago, but after the diesel powered Audi R10 racecar came victorious in the 74th Grand Prix d'Endurance 24-hour race in Le Mans, France in June this year, the good old diesel seems to be the natural choice for the German company. Now it tries to make it seem a natural choice for the rest of the world.

At least this can be inferred from an interview Audi's executive director of powertrain development Wolfgang Hatz gave to the Quattroruote magazine. Talking to the magazine, Hatz also said that his company is now working on improving "consumer perception" of diesel engines by making them less noisy, since they already provide cars with stunning dynamics.

As for the diesel Audi R8, it can well be powered by a version of the V12 TDI engine used in the Audi R10 racecar and in the Audi Q7 SUV. The 5.5-liter V12 develops 500 hp and 811 lb-ft (1100 Nm) of peak torque.

See also: Audi R8 supercar unveiled in Paris