Audi launches mega-diesel
World's fastest oil-burner delivers 479lb-ft of torque
Audi A8 TDI quattro
Weight has something to do with it. The engine is 15Kg lighter than the 4.0-litre eight-cylinder TDI it replaces, and the compact V8 is Audi's first V8 TDI engine to use common rail fuel injection. It also uses modern piezo injectors, which allow more precisely metered fuel delivery. As a result, power is up by 50bhp at 3,750rpm and peak torque of 479lb-ft is available 200rpm earlier from 1,600rpm, and remains constant for an additional 1,000rpm, up to 3,500rpm.
Featuring a separate high-pressure pump and rail for each row of four cylinders, the piezo system permits up to five separate amounts of fuel to be injected on each working stroke at an injection pressure of 1600 bar, 250 bar more than with previous common rail systems. This helps to achieve the best possible fuel/air mixture and a more efficient combustion process.
Performance is aided by a body shell that, according to Audi, is over 40 per cent lighter than the norm thanks to aluminium construction around the aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF). Fast gear-changes from the six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, and secure all-weather power delivery via the quattro four-wheel-drive system, also help the A8 4.2 TDI quattro to power to 62mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 155mph (limited).
Audi claimed that you get a minimal economy improvement -- 30.0mpg compared to its predecessor's (A8 4.0 TDI 29.4mpg), and up to 590 miles on a single tank of diesel. But if you're paying £60k-plus for a car, how much do you care?
Environmental impact is also minimised by a diesel particulate filter, which is fitted as standard and works in conjunction with the twin catalytic converters to maximise exhaust gas cleansing. The system needs no additives, and so will need no servicing throughout the lifespan of the car.
The new A8 4.2 TDI quattro also sports Audi 's controversial corporate look with its big-mouthed grille. It will offer adaptive air suspension for optimum ride comfort, controlled via the in-car control system. An upgraded SE equipment specification has also recently become a standard feature of V6 and V8 models, and there is now the option to add a new Sport pack available at extra cost.
The car is available in June.
agent006 said:
Important to note that Audi is claiming "The most powerful diesel in a car". In North America you can get regular pickup trucks with 600+ ft/lbs diesel engines any day. Even Ford has one with over 500 ft/lbs.
I notice the use of the words car and truck.
That was the whole point of my post.
No where else was it specified that the record was only claimed for cars; they were just talking about the 'most powerful diesel', period. I guess I should have highlighted the word 'car' in my previous post to make my point more obvious.Annodomini2 said:
chunder said:
1600 bar fuel pressure - is that correct ?
Thats standard for common rail systems, some of the newer systems are running upto 2500bar.
correct, we manufacture the systems
higher pressure results in more atomisation from the injectors and a more efficient engine
shame diesels still sound crap........surely someone will accomplish this soon, from an engineering point of view however, this is unavoidable
>> Edited by davislove on Friday 27th May 20:12
Part of the essence of a high performance petrol engine is the sound track.
I'm sure the Audi is an excellent car though but 30mpg is easily matched by an xj6 on petrol.
>> Edited by cdp on Saturday 28th May 11:30
R988 said:
Since all these fast diesels are turbocharged isn't it a tad unfair saying petrol engines are dead? A turbo petrol would wipe the floor with a diesel turbo or otherwise.
Just as interestingly, how economical could a smaller (more importantly lighter) turbo-petrol engine be for that power and torque?
NAPiston said:
NAPiston said:
Important to note that Audi is claiming "The most powerful diesel in a car". In North America you can get regular pickup trucks with 600+ ft/lbs diesel engines any day. Even Ford has one with over 500 ft/lbs.
I notice the use of the words car and truck.
That was the whole point of my post.
Agreed, the article doesn't use the qualifier "car" just "most powerful production diesel." However, perhaps they were referring to power/Liter? For example, Chevy's duramax makes 605tq with 6.6 liters twin turbocharged. Strangely, the article doesn't even mention VW-groups V10 TDI which is starting to make it way to other cars from the Tourag and surely is more powerful than this 4.2
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