Geneva '08: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans set to make jaws drop in Geneva
Click on the picture for high-res gallery
We saw it in Detroit, and now it's Europe's turn to ogle the spectacular V12 TDI-powered Audi R8. When it premieres in Geneva tomorrow, it will do so with a new name: the R8 TDI Le Mans. The car's 6.0-liter oil burner powers the concept to the tune of 500 horsepower and an epic 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque.
The R8 TDI's beastly engine is already Euro 6-compliant thanks to a special catalytic converter downstream of the oxidizing catalyst and particulate filter. Small quantities of "AdBlue," are injected into the exhaust system to split the nitric oxide into nitrogen and water. And with cleanliness comes goodness -- a 4.2-second run from 0-62 mph and a top end over 186 miles per hour. Is this the next evolution of the supercar?
Gallery: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans
[Source: Audi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2/LS7? 10:03PM (3/03/2008)
Is this the same blog that called out greenwashing two articles below?
"Tough" Euro 6 regs are not tough at all, allowing a lot more pollution than any gas car in CARB areas. And this car STILL RUNS ON OIL. Is that green?
I never would have expected you could get props from this site for making a car that gets 22mpg, runs on oil and only carries two!
Reply
armmat 12:30AM (3/04/2008)
Well..thanks for answering the question I had...it get's a phenomenal 22 MPG....whoop dee f*(king doo.
Bravo Audi for making one useless car.
Reply
s10 2:34AM (3/04/2008)
Of course this isn't the Golf TDi hybrid, but sport cars do have the right to exist....
The point is that you can make an extremely sporty car with incredible mileage compared to similar cars with a gas engine.
Don't compare it to the Prius, but compare it to a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Reply
eddy 7:24PM (3/04/2008)
Similar power to the Ferrari F599 GTB but just half the consumption.
P.S.: Note that there is no other producer that gets Euro 6 with a Diesel car nowadays. Euro 6 Diesel has similar emissions like Euro 4 gasoline.
Reply
Peter 12:01PM (3/04/2008)
0-60 in 4.2 and 22mpg? Looks like Tesla was right -- electric power is the only way to combine performance and efficiency.
Reply
ale 8:43PM (3/04/2008)
WOOHOO! 22 MPG! But come on dudes, how many Pintos can go 185? Or get to 60 under a minute. haha. ok under 8 seconds. Besides, V12 with 22 MPG, how many can do that? If this was a V6, be a different story. Another to add to the garage someday...
Reply
b33gee 5:28PM (3/04/2008)
Every hybrid made by Lexus gets LESS mileage than this, but I don't hear any treehuggers removing their lips from the Toyota ass cheeks. For god's sake people! this is a car with 700+ lb/ft of torque that gets nearly the same mileage as my 1.8 liter car! Not all of us wants to fart along at 50 mph with butterflies coming out of our tailpipes. Sheez!
Reply