Audi RS5 TDI concept revealed

Do you remember the time when BMW's Motorsport division had said 'No, never!' to turbocharging or fettling SUVs? Well, Audi never did that, and here is the result: RS5 TDI, the fastest diesel-powered sportscar they have. 

Yes, we are taken aback at the fact that Audi didn't just choose to make a diesel S5, instead leapfrogging it for the most hardcore version, the RS. What is also surprising is the choice of powerplant. A 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 replaces the turbocharged V8 of the petrol RS5. There is an additional electronic turbo that helps reduce turbo lag. The figures are 385bhp and a massive 750Nm of torque. 

That's no figure to turn your nose up at, because the V8-powered Q7 TDI has a mere 50Nm over this car. The RS5 shares its 8-speed automatic transmission with the Q7, which helps it achieve almost 20kpl in the European driving cycle. That's truly incredible, isn't it? 

We don't have high hopes for a production run of the RS5 TDI, because Audi has never produced a diesel sports car. Sure, they've got race-winning cars in endurance series, but the first diesel experiment in the form of the R8 V12 TDI with the 1000Nm figure is yet to see the light of day. However, the RS5 TDI seems like a much more production-ready concept, so our fingers are crossed. 

If the RS5 does go on sale, we're sure that it will go on sale in India and no doubt be snapped up by the jet set just looking at the fuel efficiency figure alone. Bring it on, Audi!