Rumored: Entry-Level Audi R8 To Be A V6

Let us take you back to February where Audi's product roadmap for 2017 and 2018 was leaked. One of the details that caught everyone's eye was the introduction of a V6 option for the 2018 R8. Speculation at the time said that it was due to China's tax high-displacement engines (a key market for Audi) and that it would help underwrite the development costs of the new engine as it would also be used for the next-generation RS4 and RS5.

Autocar has learned new information about the possible V6. It is a twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6 that has been developed by Audi and Porsche. This engine is part of a new modular engine family known under the working title of KoVoMo. This engine will take the place of Audi's old 4.2L V8 which was used a number of their performance vehicles. Officials at Audi says the V8 was canned to due to the high costs to make it meet stricter emission standards and concerns in some markets like China due to the displacement tax.

This engine is already in use in the new Porsche Panamera 4S where it produces 434 horsepower and 405 pound-feet. It should be noted that the turbos are only running on 0.4bar of boost pressure. Autocar says small tweaks like increasing the boost could increase horsepower to over 500. This engine is expected to be found also under the hoods of the next-generation RS4, RS4, and all-new RS Q5.

Pic Credit: Audi