While Audi is working with Rimac - new partner of the Volkswagen Group through the partnership with Porsche and Bugatti - on the future 100% electric version of the R8 supercar, which should be called RS e-Tron, the development of a more conventional heir of this sporty model.
According to the German magazine AutoBild, the third generation of the R8, originally launched in 2006, could find its place in the market for ultra-high performance models thanks to the adoption of the powerful 4.0 V8 of the VW Group, also adopted by the Lamborghini Urus and by several Bentley models. .
This would be an important 'return' of this split that 15 years ago accompanied the debut of the Audi R8 in a 4.2-liter version and was retired in 2015 with the edition of the V10 alone shared with the Lamborghinis.
Naturally, the V8 4.0 biturbo of the future R8 will benefit from all the updates that will allow it to meet the Euro7 standards, including a well-sized hybrid section, so much so that it can raise the power to about 700 Hp.
When the 'splitting' program of Audi's top offer is completed - we are talking about 2023 or 2024 - super-performance enthusiasts will thus be able to opt for the RS e-Tron electric car with over 1,000 Hp and the hybrid R8. , perhaps plug-in, with an indisputably thermal soul perhaps powered by e-fuel and about 700 hp of power.