Audi->ke14's brand-new electric turbodiesel engine, which was showcased in the RS5 TDI Concept last month, is set to become more than just an experiment. That's the word from Australian outlet Drive, which claims the drivetrain will hit the streets in the next-generation Q7 SUV. Needless to say, we are not surprised.
The said oil burner displaces 3.0 liters and features an all-new e-boost unit that provides maximum torque from just 1,250 rpm, until the regular turbo kicks in at 3,000 rpm. This technology eliminates turbo lag, and enables the diesel to perform better and respond quicker when the gas pedal hits the floor.
The concept version of the engine mounted in the RS5 TDI delivers 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to push the coupe from naught to 62 mph in only four seconds and label it as the fastest six-cylinder diesel vehicle ever developed within the Volkswagen Group->ke94. We expect these numbers to change once the production engine finds its way into the Q7's->ke1083 bay, but the SUV->ke145 should be quite the performer.
Click past the jump to read more about this technology and the Audi RS5 TDI Concept.
Audi confirmed plans to put the drivetrain into production at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race through the voice of Ulrich Weiss, the company's head of diesel development. Weiss declined to go into specifics, but said the 3.0-liter TDI with e-boost will arrive in showrooms soon, but not before 2015.
"I can confirm we are working on the development of the e-boost definitely. Be sure that Audi will bring it to the market. Maybe it will be not this year. But it will be very soon," he said.
This can only mean that the next-generation Q7, due to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show->ke227 in September, won't receive the said unit at launch. The SUV will carry on with a standard diesel mill for another year or so with the brand-new engine likely to arrive before the vehicle gets its mid-cycle refresh.
When asked if Audi plans to switch the RS5 TDI from concept to production, Weiss replied that the company is currently keeping an eye on public reaction. If a market opportunity should arise, the RS lineup is likely to get a diesel too, he added.
Why It Matters
Automakers have been looking for ways to get rid of that pesky turbo lag ever since downsizing became the norm. Audi seems to have achieved that goal with the RS5 TDI, and moving the engine from its testing facilities and onto the production line is the next logical step. Just imagine having nearly 400 horsepower at your disposal and virtually no turbo lag. Not to mention that this technology is likely to get transferred to other units as well, and, before we know it, turbo lag might become a thing of the past.
Audi RS5 TDI Concept
Created to showcase the brand-new 3.0-liter TDI engine fitted with e-boost, the RS5 TDI is basically identical to the regular, gasoline-powered coupe. The concept's body is adorned by red and black stripes, while the front spoiler lip and the rear diffuser feature bright-red accents. The RS5 TDI needs only four seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, making it only a tad slower compared to its gasoline-powered competitors, including the BMW M4 and the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.