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Audi has stolen a march on every other sports car manufacturer by unveiling the world’s first diesel supercar. The R8 V12 TDi, seen for the first time today at the Detroit motor show, could kick starts a new era of performance diesels; it is faster, more powerful and has much more torque than the petrol-powered R8.
Powered by a 5.9-litre 12-cylinder twin-turbo diesel with 738lb ft and 493bhp, the R8 V12 will crack 62mph in 4.2 seconds. That’s a symbolic 0.4sec faster than the petrol R8, but t...Read the full article

How long do you think before we see a diesel Lamborghini then?

Its a shame Audi didnt let Lambo style the R8 for them, it would have much nicer proportions then.

Just PLEASE Audi - dont EVER commission a Lamborghini SUV.

You have your own brand to play BMW with - dont spoil the sacred waters of Sant'Agata.

It has taken them ages to do this. I realise that the Lamborghini's Image would not suit the diesel engine, but they could have used it in a Bentley.

But atleast it has been done, now let's see it chew up the oposition and spit them out the back.

I bet the torque surge is enough to break your spleen.  Which manufacturer do you think will follow this up?

SpecB:

I bet the torque surge is enough to break your spleen.  Which manufacturer do you think will follow this up?

It's a toss up between Peugoet or BMW. The French already have the engine running in their Le Mans car, BMW already have large capacity diesels in cars, admitedly not in the same scale as the Audi.

elway7:

Its a shame Audi didnt let Lambo style the R8 for them, it would have much nicer proportions then.

 

wouldn't that result in a "lambo-a-like" R8, which is exactly what you don't want?  i think the R8 looks fine as it is, fresh, different and definately not a clone of something else.

 

Jon Hardcastle:

It's a toss up between Peugoet or BMW. The French already have the engine running in their Le Mans car, BMW already have large capacity diesels in cars, admitedly not in the same scale as the Audi.

I would probably lay my money on BMW as I think they have the motivation to try and better Audi.

What would be really interesting is if Jaguar would reissue something like the XJ220 that actually worked day to day (i.e the ergonomics worked and it had brakes).  They way they have progressed over the years they should be able to achieve this now.

Agree completely Audi has 'stolen a march on other manufacturers'. Diesels have been making great strides in the car market and this really takes it to another level completely.

Not a fan on the 'dumped on' looks of Audis sportcar but the interior is beautiful and the finish of deisel engine is spectacular. Interesting what the take-up will be amongst Gumballers!