RE: Why Audi needs a diesel R8: PH Blog
Discussion
stuart-b said:
You all seem to be missing the point Dan is trying to make.
Audi is WINNING with diesel performance cars.
Audi has won with diesel cars because the rules suit them. If prototype racing introduced a mandatory stop programme to ensure that all cars pitted whether or not they refuelled, the diesels wouldn't have such an easy time. Audi is WINNING with diesel performance cars.
A diesel R8? Sounds ghastly. Big diesel power has a place - trains will always need to haul, as will lorries. But in the flagship sports car? The car that is supposed to encapsulate the dream of motoring (and the R8 seems so refined that it gets pretty close). The very idea is anathema. Can you imagine chuffing down into Monte Carlo in some tractor-engined smoke blower, pissing off everyone at the cafes, and being smirked at by the hotel valet?
If Audi were to press any area of technology, they should make a hybrid R8. Mix up that beautiful petrol engine with some systems that can recoup energy on braking and deceleration and redeploy it as a torque fill etc etc.
ratty6464 said:
Weirdly I'm totally in favour Dan. It would make the ultimate daily driver!
I'm not sure how it'd be better than the current V10 one? Or if you prefer the typical power delivery associated with diesels, how it'd make a better daily driver than a turbocharged petrol V8? Or by making a better daily driver do you mean "cheaper to fuel"?
It's not going to happen. People are finally waking up to the issues with diesels, hopefully they'll be taxed to oblivion soon enough. I can't imagine a worse use of what has always been a fantastic chassis. Could there even be a meeting where someone would say 'I know let's stick a TDi in the R8' and expect to keep his/her job?
Silly idea. Dismissed
Silly idea. Dismissed
It's interesting that you feel the need to procrastinate on your review Dan, mainly after seeing how well the TG guys reviewed the car. Feeling you got it wrong?
This is a car where reviews have gone from spectacularly good to lukewarm and I suspect yours will be the latter (having read PH's view before). Quite honestly, having driven the Macca 570S, 911 Turbo and owning an AMG GT previously, I don't get how anyone could drive the new R8 and not be tremendously impressed....but then maybe I am biased as I chose to buy one.
And herein lies a problem with press reviews....often a small amount of time in the car so no real idea what it's like to live with everyday (i.e. do things actually work) and often biased towards one discipline and track driving.
To me, this car has all the drama associated to an Italian exotic (thanks to that engine), spectacular tech that works (unlike an Italian or even British exotic), build / material quality / interior design that shames most of its competitors. I even love the (very direct!) dynamic steering, which I find great.....for road use. The chassis is superb with very direct turn in (OK, maybe just 95% of a Macca 570S but you wouldn't know if not driving back to back), very tight body control, a truly spectacular level of ride quality and either a very safe and secure quattro feel or a significant rear drive bias, depending on the mode in use. It's also a comparative bargain compared to cars of similar performance, construction and market position.
What it doesn't need is a great big diesel engine. Sure, it might even perform better so fitted, but this is not a car that needs more performance. It WOULD sound significantly worse (it would in fact turn from being the best sounding to worst sounding car in it's sector), it would lose the razor sharp throttle, it would lose the near-9k redline and it would be a commercial failure because people that buy these cars do not want a fast oil burner. That is why Audi have not, and likely will not, make one.
I look forward to your review....and hopefully unlike the last PH review I read you've managed to find the right mode before the end of your test (not hard, theres only two buttons on the wheel for this)!
This is a car where reviews have gone from spectacularly good to lukewarm and I suspect yours will be the latter (having read PH's view before). Quite honestly, having driven the Macca 570S, 911 Turbo and owning an AMG GT previously, I don't get how anyone could drive the new R8 and not be tremendously impressed....but then maybe I am biased as I chose to buy one.
And herein lies a problem with press reviews....often a small amount of time in the car so no real idea what it's like to live with everyday (i.e. do things actually work) and often biased towards one discipline and track driving.
To me, this car has all the drama associated to an Italian exotic (thanks to that engine), spectacular tech that works (unlike an Italian or even British exotic), build / material quality / interior design that shames most of its competitors. I even love the (very direct!) dynamic steering, which I find great.....for road use. The chassis is superb with very direct turn in (OK, maybe just 95% of a Macca 570S but you wouldn't know if not driving back to back), very tight body control, a truly spectacular level of ride quality and either a very safe and secure quattro feel or a significant rear drive bias, depending on the mode in use. It's also a comparative bargain compared to cars of similar performance, construction and market position.
What it doesn't need is a great big diesel engine. Sure, it might even perform better so fitted, but this is not a car that needs more performance. It WOULD sound significantly worse (it would in fact turn from being the best sounding to worst sounding car in it's sector), it would lose the razor sharp throttle, it would lose the near-9k redline and it would be a commercial failure because people that buy these cars do not want a fast oil burner. That is why Audi have not, and likely will not, make one.
I look forward to your review....and hopefully unlike the last PH review I read you've managed to find the right mode before the end of your test (not hard, theres only two buttons on the wheel for this)!
Edited by Palmball on Wednesday 15th June 21:13
M3Maverick said:
Diesel will hopefully die soon. There's a reason central London has the worst air quality in Europe causing thousands of premature deaths each year - Diesel is toxic and will rightly be taxed into oblivion soon
This.Just get diesel off the road - it actually kills people.
Vitorio said:
Sam All said:
A Diesel M car one day?
There was that M550d thing wasnt there? Im willing to bet the only reason they didnt call that the M5d is because half their fanbase would get their knickers in a twist.They called the M135i the M135i too, I reckon. Oh wait!
Er...
Skimmed through the thread.
Why has everyone assumed that the introduction of a diesel R8 would mean the demise of the petrol model?
Surely the buyers would decide?
Hats off to the first manufacturer who mass produces a petrol/diesel/electric/hydrogen fuel cell variant of a model and lets the buyers choose.
Skimmed through the thread.
Why has everyone assumed that the introduction of a diesel R8 would mean the demise of the petrol model?
Surely the buyers would decide?
Hats off to the first manufacturer who mass produces a petrol/diesel/electric/hydrogen fuel cell variant of a model and lets the buyers choose.
- Assuming better battery life and a comprehensive charging / fuelling infrastructure for all options.
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