MELBOURNE: Audi has announced its next supercar R8 to be launched at Geneva Motor Show on March 3.
The initial engine available at launch will be the same 5.2 litre V10 that powers the Lamborghini Huracan. Power and torque outputs will be the same as the Lambo too, at 448kW and 560Nm.
A V8 option and all-electric e-tron powertrain will be added later, with both possibly joined by a plug-in hybrid variant further down the line.
Power will be taken to all four wheels via an enhanced Quattro AWD drivetrain, which will be capable of taking 100 percent of drive to either axle.
Greater use of carbon fibre will also feature in the new R8’s construction, although the majority of the car’s structure is still expected to be made of aluminium.
Electric power steering will also shave some kilos, and all up the new R8 is expected to weigh around 66kg less than the current model.
The interior will draw much of its inspiration from the just-launched Audi TT, and will feature the same 12.3-inch electronic dashboard display and revised MMI controls (above). Extra pages will be unique to the R8 though, and display gadgets like a G-force meter.
Speak German? Watch the video below for some extra insights from Quattro GMbH boss Heinz Hollerweger. Don’t understand German? Watch the video anyway and listen to that V10 singing its tune.
