Photo: Audi
On the sidelines of the Paris Motor Show 2014, Audi’s R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg made a couple of shocking announcements that have rocked the automotive world today.
Speaking about the second generation of the R8 mid-engined quattro sportscar, the company official said this will come out in 2015, initially offering only updated versions of the current V8 or V10 engines.
Later in its life though, things will take a radical turn towards the technologically advanced. A plug-in hybrid or conventional hybrid version of the R8 will be introduced. This will have a similar V10+electricity setup to the Asterion LPi 910-4 Concept. Hackenberg has apparently told Car Magazine that Lamborghini's latest concept is actually based on Audi tech, though we shouldn't expect anywhere near the 910 hp claimed by the Italians last week.
Of course, the next generation Porsche 911 (expected to come out in 2018), will also likely have a hybrid model. So it's not like Audi will have a complete run of the market. But the simple fact that Audi is also going green with its top performer makes this new segment as clear as dailight. Remember, this is a huge car company that doesn't need to offset its emissions because it has plenty of normal, clean models.
Speaking of competition, Mercedes's SLS AMG Electric Drive is nowhere to be seen. After unveiling the car, the Benz hasn't started deliveries and now that the AMG GT is on the scene, the SLS is redundant anyway.
Downsizing is also very likely. Audi has confirmed testing R8 with smaller turbocharged engines, which might include either the inline-5 from the TT-RS or the twin-turbo V6 being developed for the next RS4 and RS5. Remember, the current RS5 and R8 V8 actually share their 4.2-liter block.
All these elements suggest the 2015 Audi R8 will be a totally different car. The naturally aspirated solution, which is widely considered to be the ideal one for track use, will be replaced by pretty much every technology Audi deems its customers find very interesting. After all, what A3 driver doesn't aspire to owning the mid-engined machine instead?
Later in its life though, things will take a radical turn towards the technologically advanced. A plug-in hybrid or conventional hybrid version of the R8 will be introduced. This will have a similar V10+electricity setup to the Asterion LPi 910-4 Concept. Hackenberg has apparently told Car Magazine that Lamborghini's latest concept is actually based on Audi tech, though we shouldn't expect anywhere near the 910 hp claimed by the Italians last week.
Of course, the next generation Porsche 911 (expected to come out in 2018), will also likely have a hybrid model. So it's not like Audi will have a complete run of the market. But the simple fact that Audi is also going green with its top performer makes this new segment as clear as dailight. Remember, this is a huge car company that doesn't need to offset its emissions because it has plenty of normal, clean models.
The Audi R8 e-tron… finally
Audi will launch a production version of the R8 e-tron concept we've been shown… just not for this generation. An EV sportscar will be ready soon and should boast a massive range of around 400km (250 miles). It seems Audi has solved all its battery-related problems and is ready to take on the competition.Speaking of competition, Mercedes's SLS AMG Electric Drive is nowhere to be seen. After unveiling the car, the Benz hasn't started deliveries and now that the AMG GT is on the scene, the SLS is redundant anyway.
A different kind of sportscar
Hackenberg also talked about the possibility of the R8 TDI finally reaching production. Those of you with a longer memory will remember the concept that came out in 2008 with the same V12 engine then still offered on the Q7 SUV. The idea was later scrapped, but is now back on the table and expected to reach production in 2017.Downsizing is also very likely. Audi has confirmed testing R8 with smaller turbocharged engines, which might include either the inline-5 from the TT-RS or the twin-turbo V6 being developed for the next RS4 and RS5. Remember, the current RS5 and R8 V8 actually share their 4.2-liter block.
All these elements suggest the 2015 Audi R8 will be a totally different car. The naturally aspirated solution, which is widely considered to be the ideal one for track use, will be replaced by pretty much every technology Audi deems its customers find very interesting. After all, what A3 driver doesn't aspire to owning the mid-engined machine instead?
Google News