Photo: SB-Medien
These are the latest spyshots of the next generation Audi R8, a sportscar from the quattro GmbH division that promises to be even more of a rival for the Porsche 911 Turbo than ever before.
Emerging for Nurburgring test sessions on multiple occasions, the prototype has been hiding under a thick layer of camouflage designed to obscure its design. At the back, everything looked square and simple from a distance, but these latest shots reveal there's actually a bit of curvature in the design. The shape of the new taillights is very similar to the R8 facelift, but it's longer and narrower. In fact, the whole coupe looks like it's squashed and widened for something of a Lamborghini look.
Speaking of Lamborghini, we need to talk about what's beneath the engine deck. From the get go, all rumors pointed towards a carryover V8 and V10 range, with the latter borrowing even more tech from the Italians.
However, a recent spy video surfacing from the sidelines of the Nurburgring seems to suggest the whistle of forced induction is driving at least one of the R8 prototypes. This puts rumors of a turbo R back on the table. As a reminder, Audi has admitted to trying the RS3 turbo in its big sportscar in the past, but deemed natural aspiration to be the purest solution.
If Audi suddenly decides this is the this is the right way to go, the new 4-liter twin-turbo they have at their disposal could be turned into an entire engine range. The 450 hp output offered with the S7 would slot perfectly in the place of the 4.2-liter V8 while the 560 hp of the RS6/7 would replace the 5.2-liter.
As you sportscar driving folks might all be aware by now, Mercedes is also working on a bespoke AMG sportscar GT under the codename C190. Rumors suggest it's coming out at the same time as the R8 and will pack an engine range made exclusively of 4.0-liter twin-turbos with varrying output.
Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes – whichever way you look at it, the Porsche 911 Turbo isn't looking too good.
Speaking of Lamborghini, we need to talk about what's beneath the engine deck. From the get go, all rumors pointed towards a carryover V8 and V10 range, with the latter borrowing even more tech from the Italians.
However, a recent spy video surfacing from the sidelines of the Nurburgring seems to suggest the whistle of forced induction is driving at least one of the R8 prototypes. This puts rumors of a turbo R back on the table. As a reminder, Audi has admitted to trying the RS3 turbo in its big sportscar in the past, but deemed natural aspiration to be the purest solution.
If Audi suddenly decides this is the this is the right way to go, the new 4-liter twin-turbo they have at their disposal could be turned into an entire engine range. The 450 hp output offered with the S7 would slot perfectly in the place of the 4.2-liter V8 while the 560 hp of the RS6/7 would replace the 5.2-liter.
As you sportscar driving folks might all be aware by now, Mercedes is also working on a bespoke AMG sportscar GT under the codename C190. Rumors suggest it's coming out at the same time as the R8 and will pack an engine range made exclusively of 4.0-liter twin-turbos with varrying output.
Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes – whichever way you look at it, the Porsche 911 Turbo isn't looking too good.
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