After several rumors that the R8 would not have a successor, it seems that Audi Sport is not only considering creating a third generation of the model as it does not rule out the possibility of equipping it with the V10 with which the current generation is should dismiss the market.
Confirmation was given by Oliver Hoffmann, director of Audi Sport and (curiously or not) responsible for creating the atmospheric V10 used by the R8, in an interview given to British magazine Autocar on the sidelines of the Nürburgring 24 hours in which he not only talked about the possibility of there being a new R8 as of the will to keep the V10 in the next generation of the model.
According to Hoffman, “the V10 is an icon (…) within the segment” stating “We are fighting for the V10, but it is more or less a question of combustion engine or electrification, and which type of engine is best suited to this project”.
Lamborghini can help
The desire on the part of some of the Audi Sport executives to keep the V10 in the third generation of the R8 ends up contrasting not only with the electrification trend seen in the industry but also contradicts the rumors that until recently pointed out that the model it would not have a successor.
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In the same interview, Oliver Hoffmann confirmed that one of the few ways to keep the V10 alive will be through working together with other Volkswagen Group brands, in this case Lamborghini which, it seems, will continue to use it, most likely in association with a hybrid system.
Oliver Hoffmann, Director of Audi SportWe are working closely with teams from Sant'Agata. The only way to develop this type of car is to split the cost of development work.
Despite this “will” to keep the V10, Hoffman reminded that the increasingly strict anti-pollution standards and the advance of the industry towards electrification make it difficult to justify the use of an engine with these characteristics, it is still necessary understand which is the most suitable solution and which engines are most suitable for electrification.
Source: Autocar