It may look silly but the weird tires on this electric golf-cart might just be the wave of future. This is Bridgestone's concept of air-free tyres which unlike conventional tyres don't get punctured or need air top-up and can be fully recycled once tread is worn out.
In the video below, CNET reporter explains how these Bridgestone air-free concept tyres have thermoplastic spokes with a special curve that enables them to flex effectively without twisting. It definately looks to be a promising idea but still needs work to address concerns like vibrations, sagging, high speed stability and what about cleaning those thousand spokes.
Maserati has released the details of its new race car concept, the GranTurismo MC Corse. Developed by Maserati Racing Department engineers, the track-bound GranTurismo MC Concept is based on Maserati's flagship GranTurismo S. It comes with an upgraded engine along with a new intake system, catalytic converters and a center-exit exhaust enabling it to make 450 hp of power. Other modifications include an aero kit, 18-inch lightweight alloys, upgraded suspension and brake components and a FIA-approved rollcage.
GranTurismo MC Hi-Res Pics Pasted Below.
The Maserati Corse concept features two large air intakes along with new side air vents linked to the side skirts to improve air cooling for both the engine and the front brakes. The rear fenders are now wider to accommodate larger rear tires. Plus there are twin exit exhaust pipes integrated into the rear diffuser and the suspension has been upgraded to meet the track surface with new racing shocks and large racing slicks.
The MC Concept has been stripped of almost all the interior luxury that GranTurismo S possess. This weight saving exercise allowed it to gain a FIA-approved rollcage, a sole racing seat and a Sparco racing steering wheel while still weighing less than 1,400kg.
Maserati hasn't yet disclosed if the GranTurismo MC Corse concept is just a design exercise or an actual race car that we can soon hope to see in track events.
Honda will debut its Toyota Pirus challenger, the new Honda Insight as a concept car at the 2008 Paris Motor Show next month. Touted as being the least expensive hybrid in the world, the Insight hatchback is going to hit the market in 2009 with a possible base price of $18,500. It will share styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle as can be seen from Honda's official pictures for the upcoming concept.
The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency.
Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan. The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as America's first gas-electric hybrid car. The first vehicle to break the 70-mpg fuel economy barrier, Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.
Alfa Romeo Chief Luca de Meo confirmed in an interview with Auto Motor Und Sport that it is preparing a new crossover SUV. The model code-named CXover will debut in 2010 and will be targeted squarely at the American market to enable Italian automaker boost its sale figures here. The CXover SUV will take cues from the 2003 Kamal Concept which was revealed at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.
It is expected that the 2010 Alfa Romeo SUV will be based on the 159 platform, just like Alfa Q4's awd system and on launch will rival the likes of Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, Audi Q5 among others.
It was also confirmed that Alfa Romeo is planning to offer by 2009 an engine stop-start system based on hybrid technology which will be borrowed from parent company Fiat.
Audi has revealed the intial details and pictures of its latest concept car, the 2008 Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept. It will make its debut later this month at the 27th annual Lake Worther Tour in Austria. The 2.0-liter TDI unit under the bonnet of the new Audi A3 diesel makes 165 kW (224 hp) of horsepower and musters up 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque – the sort of pulling power normally associated with a sports car.
According to Audi, its A3 TDI clubsport quattro can race from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph). Exterior components such as the large DTM-look rear spoiler and the bolt-on wheel arch extensions give the car a dynamic air, while the racing bucket seats, the open gear lever gate in aluminum and and Audi’s characteristic flat-bottom steering wheel form the highlights of the interior.
The show car is a true high-tech sports car. Already lowered by 1.3 inches, the Clubsport Quattro concept has a mean stance thanks to a widened track (1.3 inches in front; 1.8 inches out back), bolt-on fender flares and 20-inch alloy wheels. Audi has packed the car with a six-speed transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs.
The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary at will the throttle response characteristic, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the operating mode of the dampers that deploy Audi magnetic ride technology.
08 Model Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept Photos & Pictures
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro.
Engine - Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system - Displacement of 1968 cc, output of 165 kW (224 hp) and torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) - Optimized exhaust system, sonorous soundtrack - 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.6 seconds, top speed 240 km/h (149.13 mph)
Power transmission- High-efficiency six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight casing, open gear lever gate made of aluminum - quattro all-wheel drive with extremely fast-action multi-plate clutch
Chassis - Four-link rear suspension for dynamic handling and good comfort - Power steering with highly efficient electric drive - Wheels measuring 9 J x 20, tire size 265/30 - Six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs at the front wheels - Audi drive select driving dynamics system with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control
Body and interior - Length 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches), width 1,825 millimeters (71.85 inches), height 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches) - Motorsport-look design, large rear spoiler - Racing bucket seats and extra aluminum components in interior
To celebrate 30th anniversary of the M1, BMW unveiled the new BMW M1 Homage Concept, which is more of a design study that pays tribute to the original M1. This mid-engine sportscar concept was shown to public today at this weekend’s 08 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este car show.
Click here to read yesterday's spy details of M1 prototype plus some info about the history of M1 sportscar. The photos for only the exteriors of M1 concept has been released and no information about its interiors or the powertrain has been mentioned. BMW is treating the 2008 M1 Homage concept as purely a brand awarness exercise to show how a 2009 or 2010 model BMW M1 sports cars will look like, if it is ever produced in near future.
This year BMW is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its supercar the BMW M1. To mark the event the new BMW M1 concept was unveiled in Europe at 2008 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. At this the classic car show the MI concept was placed alongside an original M1 as well as the 1972 Turbo Concept. The guys at "Asphalte.ch" managed to scoop the concept before its public unveiling. Hopefully tomorrow(April 27) BMW will release details about the new M1 prototype when it will be open for public viewing. Stay tuned for more but till then read a bit of history surrounding the original BMW M1 below.
The BMW M1 is a sports car that was produced by German automaker BMW in collabration with Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini from 1978 to 1981. It was the first and only mid-engined BMW. It employed a twin-cam M88/1 3.5 L 6-cylinder gasoline engine with Kugelfischer injection. The engine had six separate throttle butterflies, four valves per cylinder and produced 277 PS (273 hp/204 kW) in the street version, giving a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). Turbocharged racing versions were capable of producing around 850 hp.
The M1's body was designed by Giugiaro, taking inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo show car. Only 456 production M1s were built, making it one of BMW's rarest models. Though the car never saw a great deal of racing success, the M1 is remembered as a refined and civilized supercar in the true BMW tradition, with great handling and stellar build quality. Photo: Asphalte.ch Update 27April2008: Click to view BMW M1 Homage Concept Photo Gallery Read more >>
Content: Debut & unveiling of Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans Concept at 2008 NAIAS Detroit. Contains Audi R8 V12 specifications, features, photos & videos.
Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept returns as "Le Mans" Detroit auto show car
Audi presented a revolution in the top class at the 2008 North American International Auto Show Detroit in January – the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance road sports car. The V12 TDI engine, with a displacement of 6 litres, powers this R8-based concept car, generating a huge 500PS and 1,000 Nm of torque.
Drivetrain : Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept
Performance The road version of the new V12 TDI is built at the Gyor plant in Hungary. The R8 V12 TDI still produces a massive 500PS, and the 83 mm bore and 91.4 mm stroke produce a total displacement of 5,934 cc. At a length of only 684 mm, this large diesel engine is very compact and just 166 mm longer than the V8 TDI. This is vital to accommodating the V12 in the mid-engine Audi R8.
Innovative Injection Technology The two new dual-piston high-pressure pumps build up to a pressure of 2,000 bar in the rails. The high pressure distributes the mixture optimally throughout the combustion chamber. The result is... the ignition process is faster, more homogeneous and more acoustically refined. Improved combustion efficiency also increases power output, cuts consumption and reduces emissions.
Audi R8 V12 TDI concept unveiled at Detroit Auto Show
Duration 02:10
Dual Turbochargers The two turbochargers are located on the outside of the engine's 'V' and generate up to 2.6 bar of boost pressure. They play a crucial role in producing the huge torque of 1,000 Nm that the V12 TDI maintains from 1,750 rpm to 3,000 rpm. In developing 368 kW (500PS), the diesel achieves a specific output of 62.0 kW (84.3PS) per litre displacement.
Athletic But Efficient The Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept already fulfils the EU6 emissions standard. At the heart of the system is a special catalytic converter downstream of the oxidising catalyst and the particulate filter. The second component in the system is an additional tank containing an aqueous urea solution. Small quantities of the solution, known as 'AdBlue', are injected into the exhaust system. The hot exhaust gases break the solution down to form ammonia, which splits the nitric oxides into nitrogen and water.
Exteriors : Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept
Muscular Proportions The R8 V12 TDI Concept, with matte ‘Grace Silver’ bodywork, looks wider and more unyielding than the core model. It shows its potential through muscular proportions, accentuated wheel arches and even larger air intakes.
Focused On Aerodynamics The aerodynamics experts at Audi have done their work so thoroughly that, as an added benefit of its elegant shape, the concept car’s body actually generates downforce – unlike many other sports cars – aiding directional stability at high speeds. This is partly achieved by an extending rear spoiler that is much larger than that on the production version, and also by the fully clad diffuser under the body. Two large-format diffuser apertures in the rear bumper demonstrate just how much aerodynamics dictate the shape of the car.
Large glass roof One new feature is the glass roof over the passenger compartment including two large transparent sections. These, together with the glazed engine compartment behind, create a radically new element. The unmistakable NACA duct in the middle of the roof is a functional detail normally reserved for racing cars. Its ingenious shape accelerates the air captured here for the two cylinder banks of the V12 TDI engine.
A 'Showroom' For The Engine The V12 TDI is displayed as the beating heart of this sports car, like a work of art inside a large showcase. Its look, underscored by the air deflectors located beneath the re-styled rear glass lid, clearly differs from its production counterpart. The engine can even be seen after dark, when white light-emitting diodes illuminate the compartment, as on the production R8 version.
Innovative LED technology The LED tail lights of the Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept have a three-dimensional look that can’t be missed. But the absolute highlight is the LED headlights of the study vehicle. With their lenses and reflectors, not only are these innovative light sources striking, they also have a functional advantage: LED light, with its colour temperature of 6,000 K, resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light.
Interiors : Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept
Ergonomic And Elegant The interior's design is as sporty and slick as the exterior: the characteristic feature here is the monoposto, an expansive arc running around the steering wheel and instruments, connecting the driver to the car. The interior consequently picks up on the energy of the R8 V12 TDI Concept and gives it tactile expression, accessible from the moment you climb in.
A focal point for the controls The 3-spoke sport steering wheel remains the hub of the car's controls. With a diameter of 365 mm, it is both compact and ergonomic in shape, and features a flat lower edge. The steering wheel includes the start/stop button for the engine and the Audi Drive Select switch for ‘Dynamic’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Race’ settings. The latter controls the engine and transmission electronics as well as the magnetic ride dampeners in each of three different driving modes.
A Sporty Drive In ‘Race’ Mode In ‘Race’ mode, the instrument lighting changes from white to red. The navigation system shows a combined display with lap timer and navigation information for the race track you’re driving. Supplementary information such as centrifugal force and boost pressure can also be called up.
Exceptional Everyday Practicality Although a sports car, the R8 maintains everyday practicality through its spaciousness, even though the longer engine takes up more room. With a generous wheelbase of 2.65 m (8.69 ft), two people can travel in comfort, and the driver and passenger can always find their perfect seated position, whatever their build.
A Decidedly Sporty Feel Compared with the production version, the R8 V12 TDI Concept's interior has much larger aluminium applications, especially around the centre console. With numerous carbon fibre elements, the interior takes on a decidedly sporty feel.
Official Press Release
Audi R8 V12 TDI concept
Audi is presenting a revolution in the top class at the Detroit Auto Show 2008 - the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance roadgoing sports car. The V12 TDI with a displacement of six liters powers a concept car based on the Audi R8. This unit generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque. Audi is writing a new chapter in diesel technology with this power unit. Equipped with the expertise that Audi has built up through its motor sport activities, the R8 V12 TDI in matt "Grace Silver" embodies superb road handling, pioneering technology and fascinating design.
The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner - so it catapults the Audi R8 into supercar terrain concerning performance too. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm, paves the way for effortless acceleration that is unrivaled even at this level.
The new V12 TDI belongs to Audi's family of V engines but has the ideal included angle for this engine type of 60 degrees between cylinder banks. Its highlights include the new chain drive layout that includes the two newly developed high-pressure pumps for the common rail injection system.
Its sound is as thrilling as you'd expect in a sports car of this caliber. For all the subtle smoothness that typifies this design principle, the twelve-cylinder unit is full-bodied and equipped with energetic overtones that make no secret of its performance potential.
The Genes of the Winner
Thanks to their high performance and pulling power, all Audi TDI engines are ultra-dynamic sources of power. The brand has often enough demonstrated its sporty character in its production cars, especially the six- and eight-cylinder 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI. Audi has also been writing a new chapter in its success story on the racetrack since 2006. The diesel engine in the R10 sports prototype won its very first endurance race at Sebring, Florida, when it was pitted against an entire field of gasoline-engined challengers. But its most crucial victories were surely in 2006 and 2007 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, when it simply outclassed the international elite.
The V12 TDI race engine in the R10 produces over 650 hp from a displacement of 5.5 liters, giving it the potential for a top speed as high as 330 km/h (205.05 mph) depending on the gear ratios. Its power and sturdiness immediately impressed both fans and experts, who were impressed by its restrained noise level. Unusual for a race engine, this powerful Audi diesel makes barely more than a whisper.
Long traditions of motor racing and production technology complement each other at Audi. The FSI engine of the R10's predecessor, the R8, captured five wins at Le Mans with a direct gasoline injection system. Audi is also looking to maximize the advantage by using the race-tested FSI principle in its production models. The latest examples of this are the V8 with high-revving concept in the RS 4 and the production version of the Audi R8.
The Drivetrain
The roadgoing version of the new V12 TDI is built at the Györ plant, in Hungary. And the R8 V12 TDI still has a massive 500 hp on tap. In developing the six-liter engine, it was a clear priority to integrate it into the current family of Audi V engines, of which many thousands of versions with 6, 8 and 10 cylinders have already been built - both gasoline and TDI.
Audi's engineers were in an ideal position to use their experience building the racing engine to develop the road version. Like the other power units in this range, the distance between cylinder bore axes on the V12 TDI is 90 mm (3.54 in.). Yet its included angle is 60 degrees, not 90 degrees. This means no free inertial forces or mass moments of inertia can occur with the V12. The results are refined in every respect.
The 83.0 mm (3.27 in.) bore and 91.4 mm (3.60 in.) stroke produce a total displacement of 5,934 cc - just like the 3.0 TDI. At only 684 mm (26.93 in.) long, this large diesel engine is very compact and just 166 mm (6.54 in.) longer than the V8 TDI. This compact length is key to accommodating the V12 in the mid-engined Audi R8.
The V12 TDI crankcase is made from gray cast iron with vermicular graphite - a high-tech material referred to as GJV-450 that is already used on the V6 and V8 TDI engines. GJV-450, made by a patented casting process, is about 40 percent more rigid and 100 percent more fatigue-resistant than gray cast iron. This enabled the developers to make its walls thinner, cutting its weight by around 15 percent compared with conventional gray cast iron.
The two cylinder heads are each made from three main elements. These are a base section made from a high-strength aluminum alloy incorporating the intake and exhaust ports, an oil-bearing upper section, and a reinforcing ladder frame supporting the two camshafts.
The valves are actuated by low-friction roller cam followers; the compression ratio is 16.0:1. Map-controlled swirl variation of the combustion air has been adopted from the V6 and V8 TDI engines. This produces permanently optimized swirl concerning both emissions and high performance.
Ultramodern Injection Technology
As is the case in the Audi V engines, the no-maintenance chain drive is mounted at the back of the engine, where it occupies little space. Its layout has changed on the new V12 TDI. The camshafts' sprocket engages in an intermediate gear via which two Simplex chains drive the camshafts. Two more chains drive the oil pump and the two high-pressure pumps actuate the common rail injection system.
The two new dual-piston high-pressure pumps form part of the common rail injection system supplied by specialty manufacturer Bosch. The two pumps build up a pressure of up to 2,000 bar in the rails. The piezo injectors with eight-hole nozzles have also been fundamentally revised.
The high pressure distributes the mixture optimally throughout the combustion chamber. The result is that the ignition process is faster, more homogeneous and more acoustically refined. The more efficient combustion process also increases power output, cuts consumption and reduces pollutant emissions.
The current generation of so-called inline injectors makes effective use of the piezo effect: piezo crystals expand in a fraction of a millisecond when an electrical voltage is applied. The number of injection processes per operating cycle can be varied across a wide range thanks to piezo technology - reaching as many as five fuel injection operations in the case of the V12 TDI.
As well as the main injection, pilot and post injections are possible. Pilot injections tone down the acoustic harshness of the combustion process. Retarded post injections are designed specifically to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas, promoting regeneration of the two standard particulate filters.
The two turbochargers are located on the outside of the engine's V, each of them supplying one bank of cylinders. Thanks to their variable turbine geometry, the full flow of exhaust gas always passes through the turbine, so the chargers respond slickly - even at low engine speeds - and operate very efficiently.
The two turbochargers, which generate up to 2.6 bar of boost pressure, play a crucial role in producing the huge torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) that the V12 TDI maintains from 1,750 rpm to 3,000 rpm. In developing 368 kW (500 hp), the diesel achieves a specific output of 62.0 kW (84.3 hp) per liter displacement.
Two large intercoolers reduce the temperature of the compressed air. The V12 has a twin-pipe exhaust system with two particulate filters. The intake system is similar in structure with one air cleaner per cylinder bank, with an airflow meter behind it. Two control units, sharing the workload in a master/slave principle, manage events in the engine.
The Audi R8 V12 TDI concept already fulfills the Euro 6 emissions standard that is likely to take effect in 2014 and calls for sharply reduced nitrogen oxides. By also designing in ultra-precise fuel metering by the common rail system, Audi's engineers have made full use of current clean diesel technology.
The heart of the system is a special catalytic converter downstream of the oxidizing catalyst and the particulate filter. The second component in the system is an additional tank containing an aqueous urea solution. Small quantities of the solution, known as "AdBlue," are injected into the exhaust system. The hot exhaust gases break the solution down to form ammonia that splits the nitric oxides into nitrogen and water. The system remains effective for the entire service life of the vehicle.
The dynamic character of a sports car depends not just on its performance and torque; the transmission ratios have to be right too. In keeping with the character of a high-performance sports car with unbeatable torque potential, the transmission in the R8 V12 TDI has six manually operated gears.
The manual transmission is very compact in design. Together with the small-diameter double-plate clutch, this means it can be installed low down. The manual transmission has very short shift travel and utterly precise guiding of the shifter into the open gear lever gate. It is made from polished aluminum, has an agreeable feel and exquisite sports car looks.
Such a high-performance Audi also has quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In the case of this mid-engine sports car, power is distributed variably between the front and rear wheels from a starting ratio of 40:60 to optimize the handling.
The Design
The R8 V12 TDI concept with matt "Grace Silver" bodywork looks even wider and more resolute than the core model. It shows its potential through its muscular proportions, accentuated wheel arches and even larger air apertures. The rhombus-pattern cover on the air inlets and outlets is the hallmark of Audi's sporty top models and a familiar feature of the current RS generation.
Typical of the side view of the R8 is the sideblade. Much wider in the bottom third, it visually accentuates the engine's position as well as acting as an enlarged air deflector.
The continuous aluminum spoiler lip that connects the front and rear diffusers with side air baffles below the enlarged sills also pays tribute to this version's highly developed dynamic talents.
And yet the R8 is unmistakable for its powerful, elegant basic proportions. The selective but always precise use of lines is another typical Audi characteristic, as is the curved arc of the roof. One new aspect is the glass roof of the passenger compartment with two large transparent sections. These, together with the glazed engine compartment behind, create a radically new formal element. The unmistakable NACA duct in the middle of the roof is a functional detail that is normally reserved for racing cars. Its ingenious shape accelerates the air drawn in here for the two cylinder banks of the V12 TDI engine.
The V12 TDI is displayed as the beating heart of this sports car, like a work of art inside a large showcase. Its look, underscored by the air deflectors located beneath the restyled rear glass lid, differs clearly from its production counterpart. The engine can even be seen after dark, when white light-emitting diodes illuminate the engine compartment - as on the production R8 version. This "showroom" can additionally be fully lined in genuine carbon fiber, for a particularly exclusive look.
The continuous line running from the front apron across the wheel arches and flanks to the tail end, then back down the other side, is one of the latest design hallmarks of the Audi brand. This "loop" naturally encompasses the air apertures, the headlights and the taillights.
Unmistakable Face by Day and Night
The passion expressed through the elaborate design of the lights is another typical Audi trait. Nor is anyone likely to overlook this Audi sports car from behind: the LED taillights have a three-dimensional look that can't be missed.
But the absolute highlight is the all-LED headlights of the study vehicle. With their lenses and reflectors, not only do these innovative light sources have a ground-breaking appearance, they also have an enormous functional advantage: LED light, with its color temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light. Better light means the driver will have much less fatigue when driving at night.
Ergonomic and Elegant
The interior's design is as sporty and exclusive as the exterior: the characteristic element here is the monoposto - an expansive arc running around the steering wheel and instruments, connecting the driver to the car. The interior consequently picks up on the dynamism of the R8 V12 TDI concept and gives it tactile expression in a form that is accessible the moment you climb in.
The three-spoke sport steering wheel of course remains the focal point of the car's controls. With a diameter of 365 mm (14.37 in.), it is both sportily compact and ergonomic in shape. The steering wheel rim has a flat lower edge. This is a further aspect of the auto racing feel in the Audi R8 V12 TDI, but one that also brings major functional benefits, facilitating entry and exit for the driver. The steering wheel is covered in fine Valcona leather, with a diecast magnesium core providing strength.
The start/stop button for the engine and the Drive Select switch with the Dynamic/ Sport/Race settings are arranged on the steering wheel. The latter controls the engine and transmission electronics as well as the magnetic ride dampeners in each of three different modes.
In Race mode, the instrument lighting changes from white to red. The navigation system shows a combined display with lap timer and navigation information for the racetrack being driven. Or supplementary information such as centrifugal force and boost pressure can be called up.
Concentrating on the essentials was the priority in the ergonomic arrangement of all Audi R8 versions. The most important consideration - particularly for high-speed driving - is short reach distances for all controls, to keep the time that the driver has only one hand on the steering wheel to a bare minimum. In typical Audi style the monitor is well within the field of view, and the elements of the MMI operating system are located directly below it.
Compared with the production version, the R8 V12 TDI concept's interior has much larger aluminum applications, especially around the center console. The many carbon fiber elements give the interior a decidedly sporty feel.
The R8's exceptional everyday practicality for a sports car is maintained in the study vehicle's spaciousness, even though the longer engine takes up more room. The two occupants have the generous wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft.) to thank for the interior comfort. This means the driver and passenger will always be able to find their perfect seated position, whatever their build. The view is also very good for a mid-engine vehicle. Narrow A-posts optimize the field of view to the front and sides.
Light but Highly Rigid Body
The body of a sports car needs to be particularly light and rigid. Low weight permits superior road performance, and rigidity is the crucial starting point for an agile driving feel allied to high precision. The Audi Space Frame body, made from aluminum, provides the ideal basis for this.
Audi has more expertise than any other manufacturer worldwide in the design and production of vehicles based on aluminum technology, and has channeled its accumulated know-how into this area.
The entire bodyshell of the study car weighs just 210 kilograms (462.97 lbs.). In ASF technology, the body's supporting structure is made of extruded aluminum sections and die-castings. Aluminum panels are incorporated into this skeleton to form a positive connection and perform a load-bearing role. Each individual component of the ASF space frame is optimized for its specific task by the use of widely differing shapes and cross-sections, combining maximum stability with minimal weight. It adds up to a car that's particularly light and rigid, an outcome that can be felt in the R8's ultra-precise driving feel.
The aerodynamics experts at Audi have done their work so thoroughly on the study car that, as an added benefit of its elegant shape, the body actually generates downforce - unlike many other sports cars. This aids directional stability at high speeds. It is achieved partly by means of an extending rear spoiler that is much larger than on the production version, and also thanks to the fully clad diffuser underbody.
Two large-format diffuser apertures in the rear bumper demonstrate just how much aerodynamics dictate the shape of the study vehicle. The tailpipes of the exhaust system are located in pairs on the right and left above the diffuser apertures. The add-on, automatically extended rear spoiler also interacts with the air as it flows around the car. The extra downforce it provides increases the efficiency of the air intake generated by the aerodynamic design of the underbody and diffusers. At low speeds, the rear spoiler returns to its initial position.
Chassis
The precision chassis of the Audi R8 V12 TDI concept remains supremely in control of the sporty performance, but is capable of assuring relaxed driving pleasure over long distances too. The sports car is spontaneous and agile at obeying steering movements, always demonstrating exceptionally good driving safety. The suspension, with double wishbones at both the front and rear, is optimized for a neutral self-steering response and maximum ease of control.
The study car, too, has the innovative dampening technology known as Audi magnetic ride. This adapts the chassis characteristic to the profile of the road and the driver's style within milliseconds.
Ceramic Brakes with Extreme Reserves
A generously dimensioned brake system supplies the necessary braking force. It applies a total of 24 pistons to the four brake disks, combining excellent performance with minimal weight and high durability. The disks are made from carbon fiber reinforced ceramic, a material that has repeatedly proven its worth in the aviation and aerospace sectors. The basis is very hard, frictionally resistant silicon carbide, with its diamond-like crystalline structure. Embedded in it are high-strength carbon fibers that absorb the stresses occurring in the material. The intricate geometry of cooling ducts in the ventilated disks prevents extremely high temperatures. The ceramic brake disk ring is bolted by 10 spring-loaded elements to a stainless steel central element that acts as the connection with the wheel's hub.
The ceramic brakes are identifiable at a glance by the special red, six-piston monobloc aluminum calipers and the fixed calipers at the rear. The advantages of the ceramic brakes include a further reduction in weight of around 20 kilograms (44.09 lbs.), which in this case improves the handling characteristics and comfort. The high abrasion resistance permits an operating life of up to 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles). Their key strength, however, is their ability to withstand very high loads. Even on the racetrack, for example, the ceramic brakes always maintain their full reserve performance.
Vorsprung durch Technik: Diesel Milestones from Audi
Audi has reached another milestone in diesel technology with the new V12 TDI. The brand with the four rings has been performing vital pioneering work in this area for the past three decades. Audi premiered the world's first five-cylinder diesel engine in the Audi 100 in 1978. The first TDI auto engine made its debut in 1989 in the successor model. The 2.5 liter five-cylinder power unit developed 88 kW (120 hp) and 261 Nm, catapulting diesel driving into an entirely new dimension.
This was followed in 1994 by a development version generating 103 kW (140 hp). This engine was optionally available with all-wheel drive - the first TDI quattro model. A new four-cylinder diesel appeared at that time in the Audi 100 and Audi 80, the 1.9 TDI developing 66 kW (90 hp) that has now become legendary.
At the end of 1995 the output of this four-cylinder unit rose to 85 kW (115 hp) with the advent of pump-injector fuel injection. Slightly more than one year later, at the start of 1997, the world's first 2.5 V6 TDI appeared.
With four valves per cylinder, it achieved an output of 110 kW (150 hp), and its top speed of 220 km/h (136.70 mph) made the Audi A8 the fastest production diesel on the market. The first eight-cylinder TDI followed in 1999 - a V8 engine with a 3.3 liter capacity. The 3.0 TDI made its debut early in 2004 as the first V6 diesel with inline piezo injectors in the common rail system.
The 4.2 liter TDI launched in the A8 in 2005 is currently at the vanguard of Audi's TDI range. One in three A8 buyers in Germany chose this V8 engine. The next logical step was to make the V8 TDI available in the Audi Q7 in summer 2007.
With extremely clean, ultra-low emission technology, Audi is continuing its tradition of leadership in diesel engine technology. In 1989 it was the Ingolstadt brand that developed direct injection technology. Since then the diesel engine has become around 30 percent more efficient.
The Euro 4 European emission standard has reduced particulate emissions for cars by 93 percent. Long before it came into force, Audi had models on the market that met this standard, even without a particulate filter. And the brand will be offering the world's cleanest diesel engines in production vehicles in 2008. The TDI engines with the ultra-low emission system will be the first in the world to meet the forthcoming EU 6 emission standard as well as the toughest known statutory limits that apply in the U.S.
Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans Concept At 2008 Geneva Auto Show
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