Updated Audi R8 could get V6 power
Somewhere in the region of 440 horsepower could be on tap from a 2.9-liter, twin-turbo V6.
Audi is expected to reveal a face-lifted version of the R8 this year, and it looks like a new engine could be part of the supercar's updates. But it won't be a V8 engine that'll complement the larger 5.2-liter V10. Instead, the R8 could go V6 -- specifically, with the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged unit used in other Audi and Porsche models, Autocar reports.
Make no mistake, the 2.9-liter V6 is a honey of an engine. In the new Audi RS5, this six-pot puts out 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Under the hood of the Porsche Panamera 4S, it's good for 440 horsepower and 405 pound-feet. The 2.9-liter V6 mates to a dual-clutch transmission in either application, and we expect the same for R8 duty. We'll cross our fingers for a manual gearbox, but won't hold our breath.
The addition of a V6 will allow Audi to offer a lower price of entry into the R8 lineup. The 2.9-liter engine will effectively take the place of the discontinued 4.2-liter V8 that we adored in the first-generation R8. But while the old V8 was good for 430 horsepower and 317 pound-feet, the modern, twin-turbo V6 setup ought to be a bit more robust than that.
It's unclear exactly when Audi will show the facelifted R8. Rumor has it we'll see the car next week at the New York Auto Show , but Audi could hold off for a summer or fall reveal, as well. The automaker didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
