Audi set to bring the world's first diesel-powered sports car to Australia

Audi unveiled the range-topping TTS at the 2008 Melbourne motor show, and a TDI variant of the iconic coupe is ready to become the first diesel-powered sports car in Australia.

Audi is planning to bring the world's first diesel-powered sports car to Australia.

The German car maker has revealed pictures and details of the Audi TT TDI ahead of its world debut at March's Geneva motor show.

Audi Australia unveiled the iconic coupe's new flagship - the TTS - at the 2008 Melbourne motor show, and said it was considering the diesel variant for the local market.

"Putting a diesel engine in the TT is an interesting thing," says Audi Australia boss Joerg Hofmann, "though of course Audi is leading and visionary in that area [of diesel technology]."
"Le Mans showed what superior performance these diesel engines have. It's a logical step that you put a diesel engine in a TT, and then maybe put in some other high-performance cars.

"I believe the whole world is ready for a diesel-powered sports car and I believe Australia is too.

"It's only just about to be shown at Geneva, but if it gets officially confirmed for the world, then we'll certainly look to bring it [to Australia]."

The Audi TT TDI coupe and roadster are both powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel. It's based on the engine that will feature in the company's all-new Audi A4 that launches locally in April, with power boosted by a larger turbocharger.

The 2.0 TDI engine delivers 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque to all four wheels, propelling the diesel TT coupe from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds when mated to the standard six-speed manual.

More impressive, however, is a fuel consumption figure of just 5.3 litres per 100km, and exhaust emissions (140g/km) that are 20 per cent cleaner than the 2.0-litre turbo petrol TT.

The diesel TT Roadster's respective figures are 7.7 seconds, 5.5L/100km and 145g/km.

Audi signaled its intention to produce compression-ignition sports cars when in 2006 its R8 TDI became the first diesel-powered race car to win the world famous Le Mans 24-Hour.

The German car maker also unveiled a V10 diesel version of its R8 supercar at the 2008 Detroit motor show, and it is expected to go into production.