Given Audi's marketing for TDI (with the R10 TDI race car in the ALMS championship), and the fact that they don't require to do marketing for Diesel technology in Europe (50-60% of Audis sold there are Diesel powered), there can only be one conclustion. They are doing all the TDI stuff to prep the US for Diesel powered vehicles in the near future.

The image of Diesel cars in the US is bad, so they are using the Le Mans and ALMS racing as an opportunity to show the US public that Diesels are efficient, sporty and clean. After all, the ALMS is a US fucussed event, not many people in Europe follow that series.

When - as soon as the US Diesel fuel get cleaned up. The technology for Diesel powered cars to meet US emissions standards in place, all that's needed is the clean Diesel fuel. That will available in 2007 or 2008, since the governement set new standards.

I'm first on my dealer's list for a V10 Tdi Q7 when it becomes available...possibly a RS-Q7?? Early Q7 press releases almost all mention a V10 or V8 Tdi available as an '08 model released in the fall of '07.

If the engine is the same or an updated version on the now discontinued Touareg's V10 Tdi, it will be a beast!

I hope it is fall 2007, because I could really use a diesel people mover now. I hope Audi is one of the first manufacturers out with a diesel in the US, because I am ready to get the first one that comes along that can really carry 6/7 people, and have 4 wheel/all wheel drive.

With two kids, one school age, and one just a year shy of school age, we have outgrown our current cars, an Audi AllRoad, and a Subaru Outback. Both are fine for carrying just two kids, but the way playdates work around here in my section of NJ, playdates mean picking up an extra kid after school and bringing them home for a few hours. Nothing more difficult than trying to fit 3 child safety seats in the back row of an Allroad - and it's impossible to do in an Outback.

I think that it will probably be the V6 TDI. The V10 in the Toureg gets 17/22, better than the gasser but not extremely impressive. The V6 could possibly get something like 20/25, it would compete well with the upcoming Chevy Hybrids. Also Audi better bring its diesels for the 2008 model year or its R10 program will be working for others and not Audi.

I would prefer the mileage of the V6. It still has plenty of power.

I've read that any Audi diesel will cost about $3000 more than the gas counterpart since that is the additional cost for the engine, turbos, intercoolers, etc. In Europe diesel fuel costs at least 20% less than gas and of course a TDI gets better gas mileage. Easy to justify the extra $3K at purchase. But right now in the US, gas & diesel cost the same and "clean" diesel may even cost more than gas. The concern is whether buyers here will want a diesel for better mileage alone. However, I also heard that Audi will be using diesels in future "S" & "RS" versions of their vehicles to help develop interest in other TDI models.

they accidentally installed a 3.6 FSI motor in it, though. (really, they accidentally badged it 3.0 TDI)

I'm primarily looking for performance with some economies. I'm only getting 9mpg around town now so, a jump to 17 with the V10 Tdi would be almost 100% better.