Audi R8 diesel

[Kevin Hackett]

I'm currently in the US and in about four hours will be getting to drive the R8 TDi Le Mans concept car for a feature that will appear on Pistonheads. I'd like a bit of feedback from Audi enthusiasts to see what people really think of the notion of a diesel supercar. I'm a huge fan of the R8 and this will be a fascinating experience but if I can get a feel for what Audi fans and owners think then the feature should have a bit more resonance on PH.

Thanks in advance...

KH

[Blimey!]

I'd like to know what it sounds like, what the power delivery is like, and most importantly - what's the point? i.e. Will it be significantly more efficient than the equivalent petrol model when driven in the way it was intended - or only when driven at a steady speed?

Enjoy it!

[Robatr0n]

Well it most certainly won't be to reduce running costs as I'm sure any owner of an R8 would be able to afford to put petrol in the tank!

Are there any performance gains to be had? I wonder if it has any of the advanced exhaust system like the Le Mans car had to reduce/erradicate soot?

[Orichalon]

Blimey! said:

I'd like to know what it sounds like

+1

[julians]

It appears these days that engine manufacturers can produce a diesel engine that has the same headline power figure as any petrol engine, so its just a marketing choice which engine type to offer in their flagship performance car, so what I'd like to hear about is the different characteristics the diesel engine gives the car, so things like the noise, power delivery, how the extra weight (or lack of!?)affects things, how the different gearing affects the car, the fuel economy differences, other running costs (servicing etc?).

[Kevin Hackett]

Ok guys, thanks for these. I'm currently sat next to it - what a stunning looking car it is. I take it from your remarks and questions that you're not against the idea of a diesel supercar?

Haven't heard it yet so can't report back on that for now but the full feature should be on PH in a few days' time.

KH

[dr matt uk]

Kevin Hackett said:

I take it from your remarks and questions that you're not against the idea of a diesel supercar?
KH

Personally, no. That's progress and advancement - trying new things.
But it must merit it's own worth by doing something better than the petrol in order to call this progress and advancement. If it doesn't, then why bother in the first place?

And that does not include fuel consumption. On a sports car that is an irrelevance.

[lambogenie]

Kevin Hackett said:

Ok guys, thanks for these. I'm currently sat next to it - what a stunning looking car it is. I take it from your remarks and questions that you're not against the idea of a diesel supercar?

Haven't heard it yet so can't report back on that for now but the full feature should be on PH in a few days' time.

KH

Given the principal notion of diesel is economy i have to agree would you really care about a few extra MPG in a supercar?

The big issue for me is the fact being a diesel it is only supposed to go to about 4.5K rpm, compared to the V8 and V10 i would feel a bit shortchanged, torquey low revving diesels are great for off roaders and round town, but a screaming V10 at 8K is designed to set your pants on fire, a 4K rpm diesel probably won't have that same thrill ride experience imho, my impression will be it will be fast but sterile. i may be wrong but don't really know why anyone would take one over a V10. surely just a audi marketing exercise to shift A4 diesel repmobiles.

[John Carter]

Orichalon said:

Blimey! said:

I'd like to know what it sounds like

+1

You can listen to the engine starting from inside the car, from outside the car, acceleration and driving by here:

http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,544840,0...

[julians]

oh dear, definately sounds better from inside the car than outside. The outside sounds like a london taxi with a fruity exhaust.

[Plotloss]

I was sceptical if I'm honest but I know someone who has driven it already and with more experience of the R8 range than probably anyone else alive, when she tells me that the Diesel is THE one to have then I take note.

[nicktowe]

John Carter said:

Orichalon said:

Blimey! said:

I'd like to know what it sounds like

+1

You can listen to the engine starting from inside the car, from outside the car, acceleration and driving by here:

http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,544840,0...

Its noisier than the Diesel Le mans car! Have to say its ok on the move, but starting and idling sounds even more like a dropped tin of spanners than my A6

[Kevin Hackett]

You're way off the mark there. It's eerily silent and not once did I hear a single noise that said 'oil burner'. It's an astonishing piece of engineering. I've been driving it all afternoon, so trust me on this.

[nicktowe]

Kevin Hackett said:

You're way off the mark there. It's eerily silent and not once did I hear a single noise that said 'oil burner'. It's an astonishing piece of engineering. I've been driving it all afternoon, so trust me on this.

I was going by the noise on the web link. The Le Manscar is certainly eerily quiet

[stimmers]

Kevin Hackett said:

I'm currently in the US and in about four hours will be getting to drive the R8 TDi Le Mans concept car for a feature that will appear on Pistonheads. I'd like a bit of feedback from Audi enthusiasts to see what people really think of the notion of a diesel supercar. I'm a huge fan of the R8 and this will be a fascinating experience but if I can get a feel for what Audi fans and owners think then the feature should have a bit more resonance on PH.

Thanks in advance...

KH

Not the biggest fan of the R8 - not at all, but i welcome a diesel car that can do what a similar petrol car can do. Deff. I find all this talk about supercars and testing them with different fuels interesting

[matt3001]

Orichalon said:

Blimey! said:

I'd like to know what it sounds like

+1

have you heard the r10 tdi le mans car, similar to that!

In response to OP, the R8 Tdi is going to be an awesome car, 700lb of torque at sub 2k haha, i want one, and it looks alot more mean than the R8 petrol.