The R8 V12 TDi concept (click here for the video) heralds a new era for supercars due to the fact that it is equipped with a diesel engine. But this is not just another diesel unit; the 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 powerhouse delivers 500 HP and a whopping 1,000 Nm or 738 lbs/ft of torque, allowing the R8 to go from nought to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds, or 0.4 seconds faster than the road-going version which is powered by a 420 HP 4.2-liter V8 petrol unit. The diesel engine is matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Apart from the diesel unit, the R8 concept also features some unique details such as the glass roof with an air intake that feeds the mid-mounted engine, a new front bumper with larger air-intakes, a new rear bumper and different alloy-wheels. -Image gallery after the jump