It says that it will probably consume less than 10l/100km. Sounds unbelievable!

Hate to ruin your dreams guys but there will be no R8 V12. The V12 diesel engine is apparently too big and heavy to fit in the R8.

Read here for more details...

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On the other hand a R8 V10 Twin Turbo (RS6 engine) is very possible.

Audi R8 V12 TDI Coming to Detroit... Fact or Crap?

Jan 4, 2008
Audi's diesels have been proven for quite some time with their R10 TDI race cars, but until now that experience hasn't translated into a diesel sports car for the street. Now, a leaked issue of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that a design study of Audi's R8 will be shown in Detroit with a twelve-cylinder TDI under its rear engine bonnet. While the article is in German, the numbers quoted from it come through clearly: 500 horsepower, 738 lb.-ft. of torque, and 0-62 in 4.2 seconds, all while returning 23.5 mpg. Full scans of the article can be seen at - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.


Now, we've personally been told by high-ups at Audi that the car will, in fact, have a V10 petrol engine in it, and the pictures used by AMuS are simply photoshops of R8 press photos from its Las Vegas launch (notice the desert background?), so stay tuned to see if we're right about this and — as we're guessing — the German rags are feeding us a heaping pile of bullscheiße.
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We all knew this was coming. What I really hope is that they have worked out all the bugs in the cooling system and such, last time the whole damn thing burned down. If that happens for customer cars (highly doubt it) then that will be REALLY bad publicity for AUDI.

Wow! Someone's Photoshopped the spy pic and made it look like a standard R8
Nice find Bartek

Hope it won't come.
Stupid idea.

A supercar that sounds like an A4 TDI? Brilliant

What is an R8 all about? Noise, sound, emotion, driving pleasure. Just what a diesel can't do as good as a petrol engine. The noise of a diesel is awful, even a big one like 420cdi or 35d. It revs till 4.500, whoa, and then power decreases and kills the power impression...

A diesel is perfect on a sedan, where the massive torque gives a great power and comfort.
But on a supercar, you want a thrilling noise, you want to rev the motor till the red zone, you want to feel like in a F1... A diesel is big and heavy, torquey. But no revving, no sporty noise, no real emotion. It's a crap for a supercar. I never would buy it.

Next episode: the R8 diesel Sportback? Because you need 7 seats and a big boot on your supercar...

An RS4 diesel, I say why not. But an R8? No way, man.

While its fun and a smart idea with the high fuel prices in Europe, it's not a car for me.
A diesel engine do not have the same sporty character as a gasoline engine, and it doesn't mean much that the car does 0-100km/h in 4.2 sec and have 1000nm of torque. Cars are more than just straightline acceleration and as a sportcar I rather pick Audi R8 V8 than this diesel engine. I also rather see a 500hp gasoline R8 than a diesel.

I'm an absolutely diesel fan - since we have our E 280 CDI! It's just the best combination of comfort, speed and fuel economy for long distances on the autobahn. But a supercar like the R8 with a diesel engine. I don't really know. The V12 TDI is just perfect for big cars like the Q7 or A8. The are build for long distances, have the comfort and space for trips through germany.
So, I have mixed feelings about the R8 TDI. On the one hand, this car will be absolutely awesome - especially because of the torque etc, but on the other hand, if I want to get a car for long distances with a lot of comfort I would go for an A8 or smaller car, like the A6, 5-series or E-Class with a diesel engine. They are more economical then the R8 and also very fast.

So, V12 TDI - yes, when it will come with A8 or Q7. No, if they want to put it into the R8! This car should get the V10 out of the Gallardo. It is still a sportscar...

Well, if this car ever goes into producion, it will definitely not sound like a A4 TDI or any diesel powered vehicle!
As for the performance of the car, I don't believe it's going to be less exciting to drive than its gasoline rivals. With a 1000Nm of torque and a advanced Quattro system, it would be very quick on the N-ring. It's just my opinion though.