After dominating Le Mans, Audi announced in December 2005 that its next prototype would be a diesel R10 TDI; that car went on to win Le Mans in 2006 and repeated the victory in 2007 and 2008. Capitalising on that success and favourable EU rules for diesel, Audi unveiled a series of diesel halo concepts in early 2008, most notably the R8 V12 TDI concept: a twin-turbo 5.9-litre V12 producing 493 bhp and 738 lb ft of torque (at 1,750 rpm), claiming 25 mpg and retaining a gated six-speed manual.
Audi said the R8 V12 TDI was fully functional after a test drive in April 2008 and stated production was about 18 months away. The company also approved a range-topping Q7 variant using the same 12-cylinder diesel with R10-derived components and showed the A3 Clubsport diesel concept (2.0-litre, 221 bhp, 332 lb ft), which remained a press concept; Audi instead released a five-cylinder petrol RS3 in 2010.