- Audi clearly denied a possibility of a V6-powered R8.
- But the taxation system in the Chinese market could make Audi introduce an entry-level R8 with RS5’s powertrain.
- It will be revealed with the mid-life update of the R8 which was recently spotted testing.
Audi might not be keen on developing an entry-level variant of their flagship supercar, but according to new reports, we might actually see a V6 powered R8 soon. The Chinese market governs the road tax on vehicles depending on the engine capacity. This booming market for the Ingolstadt-based carmaker might dictate the decision of plonking the 2.9-litre V6 into the mid-engined supercar.
The same motor does duties in the RS5 apart from the Porsche Panamera 4S. It is developed jointly by Audi and Porsche as part of a new modular engine family which is called KoVoMo. The V6 produces a healthy 444bhp and 600Nm in the RS variants. And if the performance of the RS5 is anything to go by, the V6 is a very potent powertrain. But word out on the street is that, in the R8, this engine will be tuned to belt out more than 500bhp and 670Nm.
Audi hasn’t offered the R8 in any engine configuration other than a V10 since the discontinuation of the V8 in its second generation. Audi might even configure the V6 R8 with a rear-wheel drive configuration just like in the R8 RWS, but that remains to be seen. If it comes through, this tail-happy version will also bring down the cost compared to the quattro variant.
The mid-life facelift is already in works. It will get cosmetic updates both fore and aft along with added features inside the cabin. The V10 powertrain may get tweaked a little but exact details are unknown at the moment. The R8 facelift is expected to be revealed late this year. Whether it will be joined by the V6 version is anybody’s guess at the moment.
