Modified Cars Blog

Quite a bit is happening at Audi of late, and not all is good!

It seems the German automaker has shelved plans for a diesel version of the Audi R8 after 12 months of deliberation! Two concept versions the R8 diesel made their appearance last year, first the Audi R8 V12 TDI made its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show and then the Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, impressing on both occasions.

Both concept cars were powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine that produces 500 bhp and a maximum torque of 738 lb-ft. Zero to 60 mph was claimed to be achieved in just 4.2 seconds while a top speed of 186 mph was also claimed. However, Audi officials have now indicated that the R8 V12 TDI will not see production as the R8’s chassis would need to be changed to accommodate the massive twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine, especially as there is limited space in the R8’s aluminium spaceframe.

The cost of re-engineering the R8 to accommodate the V12 TDI and the slump in US demand for diesel-powered cars, which accounts for a third of Audi R8 sales worldwide means that Audi would not able to recoup investments in re-engineering the R8 through sales!

[source Auto Express]

Tags: Audi R8, Audi R8 TDI, Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, Audi R8 V12 TDI, concept cars, coupes, Detroit Auto Show, Geneva Motor Show, hot cars, new cars, sports cars, supercars