The future of the Audi R8 2023 is in the news again. The end of the life cycle of the most sporty model of the brand with the four rings is approaching, so the alarms go off. Much more with the latest statements from managers who have already pointed to a powerful hybrid.
The different people in charge of Audi Sport in recent years they have had different opinions about the future of the sports brand, and its models in particular. But, everyone has always maintained unity around the flagship, the R8. For the brand with the four rings, it is untouchable because it brings many sales, despite its high price, and is an example of technology, so it is not possible to think about his disappearance.
The end of the current sports car’s business cycle is approaching. In little more than a year and a half, the R8 2023 must be on the roads of the world, so the fact of not seeing a single prototype or declarations of the signature sets off the alarms. However, Hildegard Wortmann, the head of Audi’s sales and marketing department, said in a statement that “The R8 is an icon of our brand. But the icons of the past are not necessarily icons of the future. A successor to the R8 will not be just an R8 with an electric motor. It must be an R8 but different».
The future of the Audi R8 goes through a forced electrification
His words are an open book, as one of the most important managers within the German brand, which was noted for its announcement of the abolition of certain models, has ruled out that the third generation of the sports car becomes an electric model. And is that the R8 e-tron that the firm launched a few years ago seriously cost him money, not seeing any commercial success because it did not even reach 100 units.
Wortmann’s statement has slipped that the R8 2023 will have electrification technology, betting on a hybrid system, which can have one or two electric motors. Of course, there is no news of the drive train, but at this point there are different very interesting configurations, because a 2.9-liter V-six block is a more plausible option than electrically assisting the current 4.0-liter V8 engine atmospheric that is mounted on the sports car.
A smaller block of gasoline will allow significantly reduce weight, while also reducing emissions and thus comply with the demanding Euro 7 standard. By adding one or two electric motors, the model can maintain its quattro traction system, have autonomy in electric mode with a small battery and achieve really outrageous power figures. What’s really a mystery is whether the R8 Spyder will also be replaced or dropped from the market.