Audi technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg has confirmed that the company will eventually offer its R8 supercar with a smaller turbocharged engine.
Recent reports have noted that the next-generation R8 is likely to keep its current 4.2-liter V8 and 5.2-liter V10 engine options, the former producing 430 horsepower and the latter jumping to 525 or 550 ponies depending on configuration.
Although the 2015 model will not follow the industry trend of moving to lower-displacement high-output mills, Hackenberg suggests the R8 at some point will “need a turbocharged engine,” according to quotes posted by Autocar. “In some countries, you need to reduce the capacity of engines also and we need to find solutions for these markets. So we’re looking at smaller engines, yes.”
Audi already has a twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 560 horsepower in the RS 7, however this powerplant is reportedly poses cooling challenges when used in mid-engine layouts.
“It’s a big step from 10 cylinders to four though – there are some numbers in between that we could look at,” Hackenberg added, hinting at a six-cylinder edition.
The executive did not provide any insight regarding a launch target for a smaller engine in the R8.