This is literally the perfect car:
– Stylish looks? Check.
– High performance? Check.
– 6.0L V12 diesel with 500 BHP and 1000 Nm (740 lb-ft) of torque? Check.
– Manual gearbox? Check.
– Fuel consumption of 9.5L/100km (30 MPG US)? Check.
Here’s how this thing even came to be: at the time, the Audi R8 only came with the NA 4.2L V8 from the lesser RS4. A fine engine, but Audi wanted more, so they developed a 6.0L Turbodiesel V12 (using the same technology they used to crush the competition at Le Mans) and just stuffed it in the back of the R8, while also adding more air intakes to satisfy that hungry farmer of an engine. The result was 100 more horses and more than double the torque of its V8-powered sibling, while also achieving a pretty respectable 9.5L/100km (30 MPG US). However, this unusual engine also made the car considerably heavier than the V8 version, at around 1900 kg (250 kg more). Even worse, there wasn’t a proper firewall due to the engine size. This, among many other issues led to this car being cancelled, with Audi opting instead for the 5.2L V10 we’re all familiar with.
One of the best concept cars that we never got: the 2008 Audi R8 V12 TDI
