For a while now we have been hearing some interesting rumors about Audi’s plans to work on a range-topping model that would sit above the R8. It is believed this will be a fully-fledged supercar which will adopt a diesel-electric powertrain and could be sold under the Scorpion moniker. Various reports are indicating this is going to be based on Audi’s LeMans-winning R18 e-tron quattro (pictured) and will represent a “rolling showcase” for the Ingolstadt-based marque. According to Car & Driver, the Scorpion’s design has not been finalized yet but right now there are a few proposals taken into consideration.
One of these designs is a car which looks a lot like the aforementioned R18 while another one is being described as a “retro take on the future of racing”. Regardless of its final styling, Audi Scorpion will probably borrow the carbon fiber monocoque chassis from the R18 but not before receiving several modifications in order to make the Scorpion a street legal car. To lower the supercar’s weight as much as possible, chances are Audi will make extensive use of aluminum components.
The heart and soul of Audi’s rumored supercar is going to be a V6 3.7-liter turbocharged diesel engine which will likely produce somewhere in the region of 600 bhp (447 kW). Since we are dealing with a hybrid car, the conventional diesel engine will work together with an electric motor that will produce an extra 100 bhp (74 kW), resulting in an impressive combined output of about 700 bhp (522 kW). The same source is indicating the diesel engine will be used for motivating the rear axle, while the electric motor will probably power the front wheels.
The bad news is that we will have to wait several years until Audi will launch the car as the Scorpion is rumored to hit the market in 2016 or even 2017. The German automaker is allegedly planning to produce just 333 units, the same number of cars they made for the limited edition R8 GT. Regardless of when it will come out, expect the Audi Scorpion to have a starting price of more than $1 million (652,530 pounds or 764,175 euros).
Note: Audi R18 e-tron quattro pictured
Source: Car & Driver
