In 2012, rumors swirled that Audi->ke14 was working on a production version for the R8 V12 TDI concept that it unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Since then this model was up and down so many times that we ran out of fingers and toes to count it on on.
During a recent interview at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, Audi technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg announced that such a model -- rumored to be called R20 -- was put to rest once again and that it was "an interesting idea but not a priority."
Even though this model is on the shelf for now, Audi really needs to develop a new supercar, as the R8 ->ke1440 is starting to get a little wrinkly and a new generation R8 likely wouldn't hold a candle to all of the recently launched hybrid supercars. In fact, even BMW finally decided to release the i8 after years of ups and downs, and we're sure that Audi will shortly follow its steps.
Now its true that Audi also has in its plans the R8 e-tron, which has also seen its fair share of ups and downs, so maybe the restarting of the R8 e-tron talks at Audi headquarters sparked the shelving of the diesel-electric supercar.
Hackenberg also said that instead of the diesel-electric supercar, Audi will focus on developing a sub-2,200-pound version of the future TT ->ke1081. This model will likely be high-tech and perform well, but it definitely won't satisfy the cravings of supercar->ke177 junkies.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept.
Audi unveiled the R8 V12 TDI Concept in 2008 at the Detroit Auto Show. It was the first time the company used a 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance, road-going sports car -- an engine that until then was reserved for Audi's racing versions, especially the Le Mans prototypes.
This engine delivers a total of 500 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque and sprint the concept from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 186 mph.