The V8 is set to bid the Audi R8 farewell as Audi announces yesterday a plan to switch to a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine that the Panamera S sported recently. The switch is said to make the new generation of Audi R8 more affordable, more powerful and more efficient than ever.
Downsizing Effect
The decline of petrol engine continuously make damage for those cars who use it. The combination of high costs needed to update the engine to meet future emission standards and concerns in developing markets where taxation is or will be linked to engine capacity. We know that Audi intends to extend fuel efficiency and eco-friendly engines for all models of the group to meet regulations more restrictive emissions.
This is the main reason why we may be saying goodbye to the V8 on Audi R8 as well as other Audi models RS4, the RS5 and the RS Q5 sooner than expected.
R8 Purists Calling Foul
The V8 has always been synonymous to the Audi R8 and this why the news didn't come out great for purists who things that R8 has everything a supercar engine should have with the V8. On the road, the monstrous Audi R8 snarls and barks like a rampaging animal while offering a virtually unending wave of power. They fear that all this will be sacrificed with the R8's major change.
With this Audi response that at the end of the day it all boils down not about the number or cylinders but the power that it can transmit and the new Audi R8 will not fail to impress. So for those who love the V8, there's nothing else to do but to get one of these before the new engine kicks in.
More Power, More Efficient, More Affordable
There's nothing to worry about the new change that will happen to the Audi R8 as the 2.9-litre V6 already made its debut in the Porsche Panamera 4S and seems to be doing well on it. With the Panamera, it outputs a 434 hp of power with 550nm of torque. If put in the Audi R*, with higher boost pressure and bigger turbochargers, the V6 is expected to deliver 500hp. A huge improvement to its predecessor as the V8 powered Audi R8 only delivered 414hp.
Should the V6, come into fruition, it will make less emissions and will be more fuel efficient making it at par on other brands future cars. It take over from the $162,900, R8 V8 as the "entry level" Audi supercar and will cost lesser.
According to sources, the next generation of the Audi R8 and RS 5, that would sport the biturbo V6 engine will hit the market on 2018. Are you excited? Or are you disappointed? Sound it off in the comments section below.
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