| New Concept Supercar | 2008 Detroit Auto Show | Audi R8 V12 TDI |
Feel that? Like some sort of movement on the Earth's axis? It's the aftershock of other supercar manufacturers quaking at the revealing of Audi's phenomenal R8 V12 TDI concept in
Detroit. It's been rumoured for a while now, but many thought it too ridiculous an idea to ever really see the light of day. But it has, and Audi is clearly very serious indeed with its R8 V12 TDI concept. Revealed at the Cobo Center even Audi's favourite Bryan Adams couldn't put the crowd off waiting to see Audi's rule-book breaking supercar roll out on stage.
Power for the 'concept' comes from a 6.0-litre V12 turbodiesel producing nearly 500bhp. That's proper supercar power, but it's the V12's extraordinary torque of 737lb.ft that'll make the R8 V12 TDI so devastatingly quick. Like its
R8 production relatives the concept's engine drives through Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, the V12 TDI featuring a six-speed manual transmission. Audi is quoting a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed in excess of 186mph, though hasn't mentioned any fuel consumption figures. Early 20s mpg should be possible and emissions are certain to be relatively planet friendly with Audi suggesting this R8 is clean enough to pass the Euro 6 emissions standards expected in 2014.
It's not just in the engine bay that Audi has been busy though. Befitting its concept status Audi's designers have been given a chance to give the mid-engined machine a bit of a makeover. Most obviously the front gains far more aggressive air intakes framing the blacked-out centre grille, the R8's new face finished by a pouting chin splitter for even more presence. The flanks gain wider contrasting 'sideblades'. These, along with restyled sills help direct air into the engine compartment. The most obvious additional engine ventilation on the concept comes from a huge air intake in the roof, which has changed too: the glass from the engine cover now reaching up above the passenger compartment giving the R8 a fully glass roof.
Inside, the changes are minimal, further suggesting that this show car is merely a thinly-veiled future production model, though we like the idea of readouts of centrifugal force and turbo boost when in 'race' mode, along with the satellite navigation that knows its way around the world's major race circuits. We wouldn't bet against the concept becoming reality, particularly as the R8 V12 TDI would be the perfect road car link to Audi's all-conquering R10 TDI endurance racers.
Kyle Fortune - 16 Jan 2008