Audi R8 diesel – from racetrack to road

“We really have explored completely new territory with this engine” – Audi’s head of engine technology

This sizzling machine is tipped to go into production soon.

Trackside’s Keith Collantine looks at how Audi used the technology develop in back-to-back Le Mans 24 Hours victories to create the world’s first diesel supercar.

Audi turned the world of sports car racing on its head two years ago when it became the first manufacturer to win the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race with a diesel car.

It triumphed again at the race last year, seeing off the challenge of Peugeot’s 908 HDi FAP diesel racer.

Now Audi has used the know-how it gleaned in those two victories to create a diesel supercar with the DNA of a racing machine.

The R8 diesel supercar concept features an engine based on the R10’s 5.5-litre V12, with capacity boosted to six litres.

Creating an engine that is refined for road driving inevitably means a loss of power, but the R8 diesel still packs 500bhp. It also manages a remarkable 25 miles to the gallon, according to Audi.

Audi Sport’s head of engine technology Ulrich Baretzky said: “We really have explored completely new territory with this engine.”

The gigantic pulling power of the R10’s V12 TDi means its gearbox has to be stronger than an F1 car’s. Even Audi’s newest engine-measuring dynamometers had to have new internals to cope with the forces.

The R8 diesel’s racing roots are mirrored in the car’s electronics. The driver can select from a range of car dynamics settings.

When ‘race’ mode is selected, the instruments glow red instead of white, the satellite navigation displays whichever racing circuit you’re at, and a lap timer appears.

The high power diesel engine is the latest in a line of technologies developed by Audi Sport to be used on road cars. It developed the Quattro four wheel drive system in rallying in the 1980s, which is also used on the R8 diesel.

Audi Sport achieved another first by combining turbo charging and direct fuel injection in the R10’s predecessor, which was also called the R8.

Here’s how the racing R10 compares with the R8 diesel supercar concept:

*In qualifying trim the car is set up to produce more power, believed to be up to 700bhp.

Head to the Auto Trader Blog to see video of Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and their Ferrari team mates racing Fiat 500s – on ice!

Plus over 60 of you have written in to suggest who is the Stig. Most of you reckon it’s Ben Collins…