Diesel-Powered Audi Wins Le Mans

Here's one for the record books. The Audi R10 TDI, powered by a 650 hp V-12 diesel engine, has become the first diesel car to win what many consider to be the most grueling race in the world: the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Not only was the R10 TDI fast - setting the quickest lap of the day at 3 minutes, 31 seconds - the diesel engine proved reliable and remarkably quiet compared to its gasoline-powered competitors. The fuel economy advantage of diesel power was clear: the R10 TDI became the first sports car in the top-rung LM P1 class to cover 16 laps with one fuel load, and the car's average of 14 laps between refueling pit stops was considerably higher than the competition, according to Audi. Completing 380 laps in 24 hours, Audi also set a new distance record.

And lest you think Audi's high-performance diesel ambitions are limited to the racetrack, consider this: we've heard reports that the new Audi TT, which is coming to the U.S. in 2007 as a 2008 model, will be available with a diesel engine option. A diesel-powered TT would bring a much-needed efficiency boost to the sports car segment and - if it ever made it to the U.S. - liven up America's limited but growing diesel car market. And what better way to follow up a diesel-powered Le Mans win than with a diesel TT in the showroom? We never thought the old adage "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" would apply to diesels, but we'd be welcome the change.