Diesels: The New Supercars?

Diesels weren't that long ago considered almost purely agricultural and industrial engines with exceptions being some models from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Peugeot puttering down the road. Certainly, none of these, cars or trucks, were known for their pulse-pounding power or acceleration. Although advanced diesel development has been going on for more than a decade in Europe, it wasn't until recently that hot-rodding diesels became popular in North America. Exactly what sparked the diesel horsepower race (or torque race, more accurately) is debatable, but the ball got rolling with the 7.3 liter Power Stroke diesel in the Ford trucks, followed closely thereafter with a 24-valve version of the Cummins B-series, and then by GM's modern Duramax diesel. By the late '90s, there was no question the quest to build the hottest diesel was on. Today, less than 600 lbs./ft. seems tame: the newest LBZ Duramax cranks out a torque coverter-bursting 650 lbs./ft; the upcoming 6.4L Powerstroke is said to match it; and the new 6.7-liter Cummins is forecast to produce that much in 3/4-ton trim.

Still not enough for ya? Well, hold on to your leiderhosen, 'cause Audi is coming out with a 500-horsepower 6.0-liter turbodiesel V-12 cranking out a locomotive-like 738 lbs./ft. of torque. And that's supposedly de-tuned just to preserve the transmission! The first recipient of this beast will be the new Q7 sport-utility. This engine is also reportedly under consideration as an option for the upcoming R8 supercar. Prior to Audi's LeMans victory in the diesel-powered R10, the prospect of a diesel supercar would have been laughable at best, but Audi got the last laugh in the winner's circle.

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JUGNU - 9/12/2006 2:57:50 PM

+2 Boost

PlanoA4,Why diesel is so much associated or related to the Audi's nowadys.
Everytime i see the word diesel in a para,there is also Audi writen somewhere in it.

And planoA4,why 1 more article on the diesel V12 Q7.there are already 4-5 of them.
And it's also not so Ground-breaking.As u and many other Audi fans are saying.

A V12 SUV will still not make any sense.

JUGNU

BMW530i - 9/12/2006 3:01:20 PM

+2 Boost

A V12 SUV will still not make any sense.
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I have to agree with Jugu here. A V12 diesel is pushing it a bit too far. Especially for European purposes. It will sell in small numbers.

But...

Perhaps Audi is trying a new strategy here: "Never Follow". With this V12 diesel performance Q7, they're hoping that BMW and MB will be tempted to respond with their own V10 or V12 performance diesels...

Either way, to me, the Q7 V12 TDI is pointless. Give me the 3.0 TDI Q7 anyday. Practicality over performance.

CarNut - 9/12/2006 3:07:50 PM

0 Boost

Hey!!! If VW was succesfull with V10 Touareg, there is no doubt in my mind audi will be successfull with a V12 TDI Q7


BTW: THERE WILL BE NO AUDI R8 DIESEL, at least audi is not considering it -for now

PlanoA4 - 9/12/2006 3:33:48 PM

+1 Boost

JUGNU- Diesels will be associated with Audi just like Hybrids are to Toyota. Neither one invented the original, but they both market them very successfully with the best implementations.

johannas - 9/12/2006 3:45:59 PM

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The introduction of Audi's V12 race engine is not to have them parked in everyone's driveway. It's also, obvoiusly, not a move in the economy direction. It seems to me to be a publicity move to get us talking about the high end possibilities that can be offered by new diesel engines. Of course it does not make sense to use it as your daily driver. The point is to get people talking, and to give rich folks a chance to own a version of this UNDEFEATED race engine.

mkk21 - 9/12/2006 4:09:29 PM

+2 Boost

JUGNU - The reason that Audi is being associated with diesel so much is because of the Le Mans Series. Audi was laughed at proposing to race with a diesel engine in their R10 race car when it first came out. But they've fine tuned their engine so much they're now currently undefeated, and all the other manufacturer's are admiring them now. In fact, the diesel engine Audi produced is so good the other automaker's are cyring out to those governing the Le Mans Series race to put limits on all future Audi or diesel engines so their vehicles can compete.

S4cabriofox - 9/12/2006 6:20:03 PM

+1 Boost

chewy-

How dare you crush our dreams! If the R8 came out with this engine, it would be the greatest diesel car ever built.

And that's final!

With 738lb ft of torque, it would have the ability to surpass the CL65 AMG because of its massive weight advantage and slight torque advantage.

chewy - 9/12/2006 6:36:33 PM

+1 Boost

Why is Audi associated with diesel? Because they make the best ones. Consider the pickups diesels mentioned in this article. 6.4-6.7 liters of displacement, but only 350 hp and only 650 pound feet of torque. The Audi TDI V12 has 6 liters of displacement and 500 hp and 738 pounds of torque. It is also probably more fuel efficient. Also, that is the first production consumer V12 diesel.

JUGNU - 9/13/2006 7:59:34 AM

+2 Boost

mkk21
In fact, the diesel engine Audi produced is so good the other automaker's are cyring out to those governing the Le Mans Series race to put limits on all future Audi or diesel engines so their vehicles can compete.
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I think now u r going to the limits of acceptence with your last sentense.
An Audi diesel is good but the new bluetec diesel from the MB are just as good or better.
I hope MB make some more diesels, even they should design one engine for the le mans series,to put it up against the R10 TDI.
To see whether diesel really have a scope in the Performance sector.

JUGNU

mkk21 - 9/13/2006 10:59:07 AM

+1 Boost

I don't know too much about the bluetec diesel but I'm sure they're awesome. Too bad they're only allowed in 45 of the 50 states.

chewy - 9/13/2006 9:57:04 PM

0 Boost

The TDIs are better diesels. This new one has everything better than any Blutec. More power and more efficiency. Blutec is the after engine exhaust treatment. It is like saying that Honda has a better catalytic converter than Toyota.