Get your R8 with a V12 diesel

[Greg Johnson]

A few thoughts about an R8 4.2 TDI.  Web articles about the Q7 4.2 TDI are
inconsistent but many quote 326hp, 561lb-ft of torque, 0 to 62mph in
6.4seconds, and 21 mpg.  An R8
4.2 FSI weighs 3,438 lbs; the Q7 4.2 FSI weighs 5,467 lbs.  This is
speculation, but if the tall standing brick of a Q7 TDI gets 21 mpg, an R8
TDI, which weighs about a ton less, and is more aerodynamic, ought to see
close to 30 mpg.  Further, Car & Driver claims to have hustled an R8 4.2 FSI
with 317 lb-ft from 0-60 in four seconds flat.  Hence, an R8 4.2 TDI with
244 lb-ft more torque than its FSI brethren ought to see 0-60 in the mid-3
second range.  Hence, an R8 4.2 TDI wouldn't be too shabby at all -- decent
performance and amazing fuel mileage. Lastly, I'd suggest that 561 lb-ft in
a 3500 lb sports car ( 6.23 lbs per ft-lb) should be sufficient for a road
car.

Greg J

Dave Eaton <Dave.Eaton at clear.net.nz> wrote:

from autocar at the show - the comments on the transmission sound like they
are on the money:

Dave
'03 rs6
'4 allroad tdi
------------------
"The strong feeling on the show floor is that this diesel R8 is definitely
coming, but reliable sources suggested that the production version is more
likely to use a V8 oil-burner, not a V12.

It seems the V12's 737lb ft torque really is too much and, among other
issues, it could be too expensive to engineer a strong enough paddle-shift
'box - a necessity for the R8's target audience.

Nothing is definite, but if the reaction at Detroit is anything to go by,
everyone is looking forward to driving the diesel R8 whether it's a few
cylinders short of the concept or not. "