The Next-Gen R8 May Include a Wilder RS Version and RWD

2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus (Credit: © Audi)

Audi Boss, Heinz Hollerweger, had a rather interesting conversation with TopGear.com, where he discussed the next-generation R8 supercar that is due to debut in 2015. Within this conversation Hellerweger mentioned that a higher-performance version of the R8, dubbed the RS, is something that the company is debating. He went on to clarify that if it arrives, it will be pretty far into the R8’s production life and that we can look to the 610-PS (602-horsepower) Lamborghini Huracan for potential output numbers.

The Audi head went on to discuss other changes in store for the next-generation R8 with TopGear. One big possibility to note is that the next-generation R8 will likely not include a manual transmission option. For those who don’t know, the R8 is one of the few supercars remaining with a manual option, as most of them have moved to dual-clutch gearboxes. This shift is because the wealthy folks who buy these expensive rigs typically opt for the faster-shifting dual-clutch transmission. According to Hollerweger, only about five percent of all R8 sales include the manual transmission.

He then went on to talk about something that we all knew would happen: a gas-electric R8 hybrid. Hollerweger said that having electric motors in the front of the R8, like the Lamborghini Asterion Concept had, would be an “interesting alternative.” For reference, the Asterion’s gas-electric drivetrain produced a mind-bending 907 horses, but Lambo has no plans to release the concept as a production model.

A final bit of interesting information that Hollerweger brought up was the possibility of a rear-wheel-drive R8. He said that he “wouldn’t exclude a rear-wheel-drive special for the future,” but that it “probably won’t happen immediately.”

It sounds to me as if the R8 is in for some huge changes in the coming years. We’ll bring you all of the updates on the next-generation R8 as details start rolling out.