williemaykit
Prominent Member
[youtube]13-DTwoh2RQ[/youtube]
Funny, says R8 V12Tdi on the rear numberplate
I remain sceptical as to whether 'supercar' buyers will really want a diesel engined version of their car. A little extra fuel economy isn't really going to make much difference if a) you're wealthy enough to be able to afford on of these, and b) the likelihood of most of these cars not being used all that much. The additional weight of the diesels will adversely affect the handling, which is what these cars are all about, or are these versions built for autobahn-sturming?
Imagine trying to pose around Monte Carlo with a diesel death rattle coning from your sports car engine? (All diesels still do it to some extent, and I'm sure these are no different, it's especially noticeable at low speeds too.)
What'll be really interesting is how they price all these different models.
Interesting points,although the diesel engine doesnt seem to have held the R10 or Peugeot LM cars back at all.
The diesels are said to be deathly quiet round Le Mans although the comparison is a bit unfair...the diesel has it's turbos,particulate filters etc etc,all of which reduce exhaust noise by comparison with the normally aspirated cars.
I could see though that selling a diesel supercar will be an interesting proposition,even if the torque and speed are as good as claimed.
Some of the S2000 boys go to Le Mans and it has been mentioned as to how quiet the diesels were.
The R10 is hardly any quicker in terms of lap times than the old petrol R8 (see wikipedia), and if the rules had been the same (same engine capacity/same turbo etc) then the petrol would still have been faster, the additional fuel economy of the diesels balancing things out a bit.
As you say, how racing cars go bears little relationship with road cars.
As for the road-going R8, in most cases the diesel equivalent of a car is more expensive than the petrol version, I'd be very surprised if that were the case here.
Some of the S2000 boys go to Le Mans and it has been mentioned as to how quiet the diesels were.
But isn't it power that makes a car go fast, not torque...?
And more weight always means worse handling...?
The diesels may have better in gear times, but I suspect the petrols will actually be faster where it really counts with a supercar, through the gears...
AFAIK torque gives you acceleration, horsepower gives you top speed.
This is correct.....there's obviously no competition for having both,but with 500bhp and 800lbs of torque it should be fine.
Also with a sequential or DSG type box,that should ideally suit the diesel's power/torque delivery.
But for those fearing the gorgeous Audi will have lost its appeal thanks to a diesel clatter, engineers at the Ingolstadt firm have said the R8 V12 TDi sounds full-bodied and is equipped with energetic overtones.
If that's the case, can you explain this? (Data from Parkers/VW)
VW Golf 3d
1.4 GT TSi 167 bhp, Torque 177lb-ft, Weight 1,429kg, 0-62 7.9s
2.0 GT TDi 167 bhp, Torque 258lb-ft, Weight 1,445kg, 0-62 8.2s
The car with more torque accelerates slower - why is this, the weights are virtually the same?
Or
2.0 GT FSi 147bhp, Torque 148lb-ft, Weight 1,392kg, 0-62 8.9s
2.0 GT TDi 138 bhp, Torque 236lb-ft, Weight 1,451kg, 0-62 9.3s
Again, the car with more torque is slower (although there is a bigger weight difference here)
I'm guessing it's to do with gearing but I'm intrigued to find out the answer to this one.
Thanks, does that therefore mean that the torque/power at the wheels is affected by the gearing?
For example 2 cars
Petrol 8000rpm max 180hp, 100 torques
Diesel 4000rpm max 180hp, 200 torques
Both cars geared for 80mph in 3rd gear at max rpm.
Travelling at 40mph
P has 4000rpm but gear ratio of 1000rpm:10mph
D has 2000rpm but gear ratio of 1000rpm:20mph
Would this mean that all else being constant/equal, both cars would accelerate at the same rate from 40mph?
Now of course I drive a diesel,and it's still amusing to see something "sporty" trying to keep up at times.
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