If you happen to be in Austria you should go check this out and send me pictures. It’s supposed to be a huge event going on now! Here’s Audi’s press release:

• Audi at the big “GTI meet” in Kärnten
• A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept with 224 hp
• Attractive program with numerous highlights

Audi is again presenting spectacular showcars at the Wörthersee Tour in 2008. The big meet for horsepower-loving Audi and VW enthusiasts runs from May 21 to 25 in Reifnitz (Kärnten), Austria. The brand with the four rings is showcasing its high-performance and highly efficient TDI technology.
The highlight is a showcar, the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro, whose two-liter diesel engine churns out 165 kW (224 hp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque. The concept car is a driving machine loaded with innovative solutions.

The A3 TDI clubsport quattro sprints from a standing stop to highway speed in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 240 km/h (149.13 mph). A six-speed transmission transfers the torque to the quattro all-wheel-drive system; 20-inch wheels deliver it to the street. Sitting behind the front rims are carbon-fiber-ceramic brake discs.

Another highlight is the Audi drive select dynamic control system, which allows the driver to alter the throttle response characteristic, exhaust note, power steering boost, ESP response and the damping of the shock absorbers, which use Audi magnetic ride technology to instantly adjust to current conditions. Numerous modifications to the interior and exterior round out the dynamic image of the A3 concept.
Besides the A3 TDI clubsport quattro, Audi is presenting another high-end showcar in Reifnitz, the R8 TDI Le Mans. Its diesel V12 produces 368 kW (500 hp) and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque – enough to accelerate the supercar from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of well beyond 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The open Audi TT clubsport, whose purist character made it the star of the Wörthersee Tour 2007, is also making a return appearance in a further-developed form. Audi is also showing 24 production vehicles, including the recently introduced Audi TT TDI. The coupe’s 125 kW (170 hp) two-liter diesel delivers sporty performance while setting new efficiency standards in the sports car segment by consuming only 5.3 liters of diesel/100 km (44.38 US mpg) on average.

The Wörthersee Tour, also known as the “GTI Meet,” is a magnet for horsepower-loving fans of the Audi and VW brands and last year drew roughly 200,000 visitors. This was the first time that Audi had taken part in the event – and the response was overwhelming.

This year the brand with the four rings is going full-throttle. The Audi Genuine Accessories division and quattro GmbH have their own stands where they are presenting their accessory, upgrade and customization lines.

The interactive highlight of Audi’s presence is the “quattro mountain.” Paraphrasing the Wörthersee motto “The lake is calling,” the motto here is “The mountain is calling.” The structure is reminiscent of the ski jump in Kaipola, Finland, on which the legendary advertisement with an Audi 100 CS quattro was filmed in 1986. The Reifnitz mountain may only be 12 meters (39.37 ft) high, but it is still spectacular thanks to a 30% slope and a rocker board at the peak for the transition to the equally steep descent. And the fans can experience it first-hand: Professionals drive a series of demo cars over the mountain, and passengers are wanted.

• Powerful new 175 PS 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi performance diesel engine for Ford Mondeo, Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy
• Expressive new Titanium S series extends Mondeo and S-MAX customer choice
• New ‘techno’ style Galaxy Titanium model complements the classic Ghia series at the top of the range

Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy customers now have even greater powertrain and series choices with the launch of a new high performance 2.2-litre diesel engine and sporty new versions of the popular ‘Titanium’ series.

This makes me wonder how much I could get for those extraneous body parts I don’t use like that second kidney.

From autoexpress.co.uk

Power to the diesel! That’s the message from Mercedes, as bosses prepare to follow Audi into the high-performance oil-burning market.

Auto Express can reveal the firm is closer than ever to launching an AMG-badged diesel model. With Audi unveiling its R8 V12 TDI concept at the Detroit Motor Show and Ferrari taking the wraps off its Biofuel F430 prototype, the pressure is on for Mercedes’ performance division to follow suit.

Some of the biggest import auto manufacturers are pushing diesel at the Detroit Auto Show, but not much came from the Americans. GM in particular seems to want to be the Sony of the car world, and push E85 while all the rest push diesel.

I have no problem with other ways to be green it’s really just Lutz’s seeming open hatred for diesel. His quote from the Frankfurt show, “We have the gravest of doubts that diesels are the solution. But we’re forging ahead anyway just in case they become easily fathomable or the cost of the hardware drops or with the fuel economy some of the extreme emissions regulations get lowered.”

I just want to know how all the other manufacturers can be profitable, but GM can’t. At least they and Ford will soon be offering smaller diesels in their trucks, but that’s little consolation for the average driver trying to save on fuel costs.

Anyway, below is an article from afp.com talking more about this, difference in opinion, in the industry. I think GM and Ford should take heed from Karl Brauer of edmunds.com when he says if Honda’s going diesel it’s time to pay attention.

Now this is a beautiful diesel. A V12 oil-burning supercar that even Jeremy Clarkson, notoriously impossible to please host of Top Gear, loves (Well he’s only driven the measly 420hp V8 gasser version, but with more horsepower and better economy I’d be surprised if he didn’t like this one too).

Here’s a live look at the Mitsubishi Concept-RA. Pretty good looking car for a Mitsubishi, and i like the exposed engine idea. If you’ve got diesel, flaunt it! Too bad it will most likely never be more than a concept, but at least they’re going in the right direction.

From autonews.com

Audi will unveil a diesel concept of its R8 flagship coupe at the Detroit auto show. If built, the concept would be the world’s first production diesel supercar.

Wow, it looks like a cross between a new Lancer Evo and a Lamborghini. Please build this, Mitsubishi. I would buy it and do 3000rpm clutch dumps racing till I broke it (which would probably take a while considering parts come from the Evo and it’s a diesel) and then be smiling ear-to-ear as I went to the dealership to buy another. Can’t wait to see what happens with this in the future.

Audi is introducing a new vehicle segment with its presentation of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show (14 – 24 November 2007). The two-door, four-seater car measures 4.62 metres in length and combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully fledged SUV. The muscular, powerful, but also elegant lines make no secret of this vehicle’s potential. The 240 bhp three-litre TDI engine with ultra-low emission technology delivers sporty driving dynamics with exhaust emissions on the level of the EU 6 limits. The quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system and high-tech chassis with electric ride height adjustment are a recipe for driving pleasure on all terrain and in any curve radius.