6 Sports Car-Shaming Diesels That’ll Do 0-60mph In Under 5 Seconds

6. Audi SQ7

We’re starting with a big yacht of an SUV. Audi has given its massive Q7 the ‘S’ treatment, and in the process has chucked a 4.0-litre V8 under the gargantuan bonnet. The engine uses two conventional turbochargers as well as an electric compressor that sits downstream of the intercooler, and its job is to eliminate lag. All that culminates in 429bhp and 664lb ft of torque, and a highly impressive 0-62mph sprint of 4.8 seconds.

5. BMW 335d xDrive M Sport

The top-of-the-range 3-series diesel is still resisting BMW’s downsizing efforts, staying as an inline-six rather than becoming a four-pot like much of the range. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine makes 309bhp and 465lb ft of torque, contributing to a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds, while still clocking nearly 50mpg.

4. Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro

It’s no surprise to see Audi on this list, as it runs a race-winning diesel-hybrid Le Mans car. The Audi A8 has a 4.2-litre V8 diesel making 380bhp, which works with the Quattro all-wheel drive system to propel the largely aluminium car to 62mph in 4.7 seconds.

3. Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo

Alpina has been upgrading BMWs for decades, and the diesels in the range don’t get away without a tune up. Based on the aforementioned 335d, the D3 has undergone changes that include a new pair of variable geometry turbochargers amongst many other things. The result? 345bhp, 516lb ft of torque, and a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds. Oh, and the title of fastest current production diesel thanks to the removal of the 155mph speed limiter, which allows for a top speed of 171mph. We’ve got one on test at the moment, so keep an eye out for the full verdict soon.

2. BMW M550d xDrive

Yep, it’s another BMW. Those Bavarians certainly like going fast in diesels. This time it’s the 5-series, and this time it’s a triple-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-pot. Again, it has all-wheel drive - that’s what xDrive means, by the way - which contributes to a stonkingly fast 0-62mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. I can only imagine what accelerating so fast in a big barge like this does to your innards.

1. Audi R8 6.0 Quattro V12 TDI

Okay, so it was only a concept, but it was a working concept and we feel like it’s too cool to leave it out. Back in 2008, Audi experimented with a diesel-fuelled version of its R8 supercar. Under the rear window sat a V12 TDI engine, which made 492bhp and an eye-watering 738lb ft of torque, the latter of which was available from just 1750rpm. The performance figures are just as staggering: 0-62mph took 4.2 seconds, 0-100mph took less than 10 seconds, and the top speed was “well over” 186mph.

Clearly Audi didn’t feel the world was ready for a Ferrari sports car rival that filled up with the black pump. Here’s hoping it’s not completely off the table, as that ridiculous torque figure would have a poser’s Ferrari choking on Audi fumes.