Audi R10 TDI narrowly beaten by a 15,000-bhp combat aircraft

Audi demonstrated once again the performance of modern diesel engines in an unique duel that took place prior the "Festival of Speed" meeting at Goodwood (England): In a one-kilometer acceleration race at RAF Wittering, the Le Mans winning Audi R10 TDI driven by Allan McNish was just narrowly beaten by a 15,000-bhp combat aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Despite the 650-hp Audi R10 TDI being designed to start races from a "rolling" as opposed a "standing start", the revolutionary diesel sportscar was quicker off the line and in the lead for almost the whole one-kilometer distance before the Harrier GR7 "Jump Jet" just beat the Audi by literally a "nose" before it took off in front of a 5,000 crowd.

"It was essentially a "fun" race, explained Audi factory driver Allan McNish. "But when a racing driver and a pilot get together it quickly becomes serious. To come so close beating a Harrier jet-fighter was a tremendous achievement once again for "Audi TDI Power“ especially if you consider that we didn't modify the R10 TDI for this "race".

IamEvilHomer - 7/7/2006 11:47:49 PM

+2 Boost

i thought SAAB was born or something from Aircraft engineers / What a stupid ad "aircraft engineers"

Way to go audi

Jovi - 7/8/2006 3:33:11 AM

+1 Boost

SAAB is dumb... They are born from Jets, but performs nothing like one... Maybe the New York Jets...

Anyways, R10 TDI... Won Le Mans, will win ALMS, and will continue to dominate Sports car racing...

BMW530i - 7/8/2006 4:45:28 AM

+1 Boost

Impressive. Impressive that the TDI Audi racecar was quicker for a whole kilometer than a friggin jet!

Rupert - 7/8/2006 6:37:10 PM

0 Boost

screw audi, give me the jet!

IamEvilHomer - 7/9/2006 12:03:08 AM

+1 Boost

superstacat- good I don't want you buying one. Keep in the dark

the funny thing about that Saab ad is that it has a disclamer saying the Jet people have nothing to do with SAAB any more. Whoever did that ad should be fired and GM needs to leave SAAB alone.

IamEvilHomer - 7/9/2006 11:42:07 AM

+1 Boost

I think we are missing the point the R10 IS A DIESEL! :) I am looking forward to all the sport car diesel's that result because of this car

Rupert - 7/9/2006 4:43:44 PM

+1 Boost

330d is a pretty sporty diesel, the 335d will be even more so.