After giving it a deep thought financially, Audi reportedly have concluded that pulling the plug on the R8 is the best thing to do.
The news comes from Automobile magazine which says that the Germans will axe the R8 in 2020, when the successor of the current Lamborghini Huracan, which also shares its platform and engine with the R8, will come into the picture.We’ve reached out to Audi for a comment and will update this story when we hear back from them.
More worryingly, according to the same story, Audi have allegedly decided that the replacement of the R8 E-Tron is a no-go either. That’s not all, because plans for what should have become the brand’s hypercar, supposedly powered by four 1.2-liter Ducati bike engines, delivering 1000hp, and known internally as the Scorpion, have been shelved as well.
The new 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that powers the RS4 and RS5 is almost at its full potential too, which is apparently the 470PS (463hp) mark, or 20PS (20hp) more than the performance models mentioned above. However, it’s believed that a plug-in hybrid version will throw in an 116PS (114hp) electric motor, although it’s unclear yet which cars will adopt it.
Performance versions of the A6, A7, and A8 are just around the corner, and the RS6 and RS7 are expected to use the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that powers the Porsche Panamera Turbo and Bentley Continental GT, without any electrification. However, this report contradicts a previous one that gave insight into a more extreme version of the RS7, which should come with a PHEV powertrain, combining the aforementioned internal combustion unit with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
It’s not clear what will power the S6 and S7 versions, but we’re likely looking at a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that should at least match the current models’ output of 450hp, whereas the new S8 might arrive with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 lump.
An RS version of the upcoming Q8 is also expected at the turn of the decade, possibly powered by the same 650PS (641hp) 4.0-liter twin-turbo found in the Lamborghini Urus.
The cherry on top of the cake is reportedly Audi’s own version of the Porsche Mission E, which is due in 2019, as a modern interpretation of the Audi Quattro with seating for five.
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