Audi is looking to further differentiate the next-generation R8 supercar from the Lamborghini Huracán, its newer and edgier Italian stablemate.
First and foremost, the upcoming R8 will keep its normally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 and 5.2L V10 engines, but Audi chief engineer Ulrich Hackenberg says a smaller, turbocharged engine could be offered in the R8 to satisfy smaller-displacement engine requirements in certain markets across the globe.
“In some countries, you need to reduce the capacity of engines also and we need to find solutions for these markets,” Hackenberg told Autocar UK. “So we’re looking at smaller engines, yes. It’s a big step from 10 cylinders to four, though — there are some numbers in between that we could look at.”
Understandably, it’s unclear as to how many litres and cylinders we can expect, but Hackenberg could very well be hinting at a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, perhaps similar to the one found in the previous TT-RS and current RS-Q3, among others. Let’s face it — a seven-cylinder engine probably won’t happen.
The next-generation R8 will also share a basic platform architecture with the Lamborghini Huracán. Rumour has it the R8 will be longer and wider than the Huracán, while boasting just as much carbon fibre in its chassis.
