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(Mon 14 Jan 08) One of the most fascinating cars at the Detroit Show is a proposed new version of the R8 sports car. The standard R8 uses the same 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine as the RS 4, and that's quite a unit in itself, but the concept car has a diesel, which is something else entirely.
The diesel engine itself isn't entirely new. It's a six-litre V12 which is already scheduled for production in a version of the Q7 (see separate story). The R8, of course, is a lot lighter and sportier than the Q7, and the engine's 493bhp of power and 737lb/ft of torque have an even more dramatic effect on it. For example: top speed is quoted as being "in excess of" 186mph (which equates to 300km/h, perhaps explaining the slight vagueness there), while the claimed 0-62mph time is 4.2 seconds.
It's fair to assume that the diesel R8 uses quite a lot of fuel, but at the same time it complies with the proposed EU6 emissions limits which are due to be introduced in 2014. Part of the reason for this is the fitment of a second catalytic convertor which sprays the exhaust with a substance called AdBlue. Audi describes AdBlue as "an aqueous urea solution". This means it's not unlike a liquid that humans produce on a daily basis but tend not to discuss in polite society. Its great value in terms of exhaust emissions is that it breaks down oxides of nitrogen (very bad) into nitrogen and water (harmless).
The diesel R8 has four-wheel drive, of course, along with magnetic ride adaptive damping. This suspension feature, along with the engine and transmission settings, is enhanced by a modified version of the Audi drive select system recently introduced in the A4. It can be set in any of three modes, called Dynamic, Sport and Race. Race mode is intended for trackday use, and when it's switched on it calls into play navigation specific to the circuit (just in case you think you turn left at the end of the pit straight at Brands Hatch), a lap timer and information displays relating to centrifugal force and turbo boost pressure. Previous: MINI Best For Depreciation Next: New Volvo Transmission |
