Geneva show: It’s diesel day for Audi

AUDI has used this week’s Geneva motor show to reinforce its diesel determination, via what’s claimed to be the world’s first diesel sports car, the TT TDI, and the final production version of its new Q7 V12 TDI range-topper.

Not content with fitting its ballistic new 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 diesel to its Q7 uber-SUV, the Volkswagen Group’s ambitious luxury division has also dropped the oil-burning 12-cylinder engine into its flagship R8 super-coupe.

Audi says the R8 V12 TDI LeMans is strictly a concept, but the fact its engine graces the production-ready Q7 mega-diesel and that the compression-ignition supercar appeared in January at the Detroit motor show under a different name and painted a different colour suggests it is indeed destined for showrooms.

Left: Audi R8 V12 TDI, Q7 Coastline and TT TDI Coupe.

The German giant claims the 12-cylinder diesel R8 sprints to 100km/h in a rapid 4.2 seconds, and the same 60-degree 6.0 V12 engine, which is said to be a close relative of the 5.5-litre V12 twin-turbo diesel employed by its LeMans-winning R10 racers, propels the new Q7 flagship to Australia’s national highway speed limit in a staggering 5.5 seconds. Quoted average fuel consumption is 11.9L/100km.

Put into perspective, that’s a whole three litres per 100km less than Porsche claims for its top-shelf (4.8-litre petrol V8-powered) Cayenne Turbo, which with a 5.1-second 0-100km/h time is one of the world’s quickest SUVs.

Both two-tonne-plus luxury SUVs produce up to 368kW (leading Audi to claim it as the world’s most powerful diesel-powered passenger car), but the Audi out-does the porkiest Porsche’s 700Nm peak figure by offering a Maybach-matching 1000Nm – from just 1750rpm. The 6.0 V12 oil-burner also complies with EU5 emission standards not due to come into force until 2010 in Europe.

First previewed in 2006, the production Q7 V12 TDI will come standard with specially-tuned adaptive air suspension, ceramic brake discs that are claimed to weigh half as much and last four times as long as conventional steel rotors, 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, wider wheel-arches, a chrome-plated grille, LED daytime running lights, extra under-body protection and bigger-bore exhaust outlets.

Inside, the most expensive Q7’s seven powered sports seats are swathed in Verano leather, and there are also carbon-fibre inlays, aluminium air-vents and stainless steel pedals.

European pre-sales of the wildest Q7 begin in mid-2008 and, if approived for sale in Australia, the 6.0-litre Q7 TDI could join its 3.0-litre six-cylinder and 4.2-litre V8 diesel stablemates here in early 2009.

“The Q7 V12 TDI isn’t yet officially confirmed for Australia,” Audi Australia’s general manager of corporate communications Anna Burgdorf told GoAuto.

“If we were to bring it, sometime around the first quarter of 2009 could be possible. We will investigate the market opportunities for this vehicle, and depending on the price and volume opportunity will consider if this vehicle is the right one for the Australian market.” It seems Audi isn’t finished with the Q7 just yet, however. Also showcased at Geneva is the Q7 Coastline “design study”, which puts a nautical spin on the big Q7 by offering “interior décor reminiscent of an exclusive yacht”.

Finished in a special ultra-luminous shade of white paint dubbed Inuit, the Q7 Coastline’s white theme continues inside, where an Alabaster hue is used on most of the switchgear, the instrument panel, centre console, seatbelts, roof lining, floor mats, pillars and steering wheel.

But the Q7 Coastline show car’s most obvious maritime feature is the dark waxed American walnut veneer that is employed on its armrest, inner door sill trims, gearknob and, most prominently, its folding rear seatbacks and cargo area floor, which also incorporates two expandable storage boxes.

Also emerging with diesel power on Audi’s Geneva stand are the TT TDI quattro coupe and roadster, which made their debut in Switzerland in full production trim and could also grace Australian roads before long.

Audi Oz boss Joerg Hofmann said at last week’s Melbourne motor show, where the company unveiled its new coupe flagship, the (petrol-powered) TTS, that he believed Australia was ready for diesel sports cars and that, if confirmed for global sales, the TT TDI would come here.

The distillate-fed TTs, details of which were revealed prior to Geneva, are powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel similar to the engine that will motivate Audi’s redesigned A4 sedan, due on sale her in April.

The TT TDI mill offers 125kW and 350Nm of torque. Driving all four wheels, it accelerates the diesel TT coupe to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds in six-speed manual guise.

Even better, Audi claims average fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km and C02 emissions of 140g/km – 20 per cent less than the 2.0 petrol TT TFSI. The TT TDI Roadster increases fuel use by 0.2L/100km, CO2 emissions by 5g/km and 0-100km/h acceleration by 0.2 seconds.

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