Audi R8 news - R8 won't go diesel - 2007

In the wake of another victory for Audi's diesel R8 at Le Mans last weekend, rumours abound that the German manufacturer is planning to slot one of its oil burners into the R8 supercar.

But don't believe it. According to Kate Dixon, spokeswoman for Audi UK, no diesel powerplant will physically fit into the R8's engine bay.

"There's no chance of the R8 getting a diesel," said Dixon. "There's just not enough space to fit it in."

However, it seems much more likely that the R8's current 4.2-litre unit will be joined by another, more powerful petrol engine - most likely a 5.0-litre V10 - early next year.

Audi's 2005 Le Mans concept, which spawned the R8, was powered by a 5.0-litre biturbo engine producing 610bhp. It dispatched 0-60mph in under four seconds and had a top speed of 214mph.

And don't forget that the Lambo Gallardo - the R8's sister car - is powered by a 520bhp V10. Now that's a shootout we'd like to see.