Audi's had tremendous success on the Le Mans racing circuit with their diesel-powered race cars, so it's not particularly surprising that they'd want to translate that oil-burning performance cred into street car sales. But what is a little unexpected is how they might go about it: Apparently, Audi is considering building a diesel-powered supercar capable of whupping the likes of the McLaren P1 and its ilk.

Once upon a time, the idea of a diesel-powered Porsche reaching American shores would have resulted in Porschephiles committing self-inflicted massacres on of Jonestownian proportions. But that was before water-cooled 911s, Porsche sedans, and of course, the Cayenne.

Gotta give Audi credit, because their 2012 LMP1-class contender combines three technologies most car companies wouldn't squish together, even in the focus-group-free world of racing: all-wheel-drive, hybrid drive, and a turbodiesel engine. Hey, if this year's Le Mans car doesn't work out, they could always make one hell of an SUV out of the leftovers.