14 Jan 08
Audi is to fit its Le Mans-influenced 5.5-litre diesel engine into a production car: the R8 super-coupe.
Seen in Detroit in 'concept' form, but said to be very close to production, the road-going R8 V12 TDI is thought to deliver around 500bhp and 738lb-ft of torque (as in the upcoming Q7 V12 TDI), giving 0-60mpg in just 4.2 seconds.
To ensure this monumental amount of power is transmitted to the road efficiently, the R8's quattro 4x4 drivetrain carries over, with the addition of high-tech adaptive magnetic dampers. The R8 will also benefit from huge ceramic brake discs.
Despite the R8 V12 TDI's supercar credentials, it will return a very un-supercar 23.5mpg. Audi adds that, thanks to a state-of-the-art exhaust catalyst and the AdBlue urea injection system, it will pass the Euro 6 emissions legislation to come into force in 2014.
Check out the rest of our Detroit Motor Show coverage
