It's not an official announcement but of a "a secret dream” from Wolfgang Hatz, executive director of engine and powertrain development of Audi as he talks to Italian magazine Quattroruote in the October issue.
After the presentation of the Q7 with the new V12 TDI, Hatz has revealed it's dreams: to reduce the noise of the TDI motor so noone could understand a difference in respect to a Benzine one and "to mount a diesel engine in one supercar like our new R8".

Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Pretty neat. Aren't diesels already quiet?

It would obviously be a fantastic idea to give a desiel engine to the R8, hot looks combined with amazing power and excellent fuel economy. Sounds like a winner too me.

Oh, sweet Mother of God let this happen.

V12 TDI R8 with DSG = heaven on earth.

Compared to gasoline....certainly not! They make a terrible sound! BMW's too.

Like i have said long time ago:

-2007 sales of the V8 R8 start
-Late 2007 the V10 5.2 lt R8 is presented and sales start in 2008
-One year after that the R8 TDI is coming but as a limited production model , only 500 cars (approximately the final number is yet to be decided) will be available for sale.

Just don't ask for sources for the third info, those are internal information and even if you ask someone in Audi they will tell you that "no decision has been made yet" ect.

How 'bout an A8 V12 TDI? That would be the car to have diesel power! I could park a car like that next to my S65 AMG, unless Mercedes comes up with the S 600 CDI 4 Matic.

Not until the next generation A8 according to my info.

Audi considering V-12 diesel option for new R8 Porsche-fighter
World's first diesel supercar?

Senior board members confirm Audi is working on a diesel version of its new R8 Porsche-fighter in the aftermath of its historic 2006 Le Mans win with the diesel-powered R10 racer.

The engine is the same as that just launched in the Q7 and introduced in the A8, a 6.0-liter V-12 with 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That's slightly less power than the Lamborghini-derived V-10 version will have, but way more torque. With the right gearing, this means the diesel could be the quickest of the R8s.

The R8 TDI hasn't been approved for production yet, but if it gets a green light, it'll be unique among sports cars, although Mercedes-Benz displayed Bluetec diesel SL and SLK concepts at the 2005 Geneva show.

Audi insiders admit the diesel R8 has a couple hurdles to overcome. Though compact, the V-12 diesel is bigger and heavier than the V-10 and V-8 gas engines. Another issue is whether the diesel particulate filter trap would fit between the R8's mid-engine and its rear bumper. But if the R8 TDI is okayed, look for it in Audi showrooms no earlier than model-year 2009.

Source: http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...2_0701_audi_r8

Approximately how much benefit in fuel consumption will the diesel powerplant offer compared with the 5.2 V10 engine?