Turbocharged Audi R8 is being developed

The main supercar from Audi is going to adopt a turbocharged engine.

The boss of the company’s Technical Development, Ulrich Hackenberg, revealed that it came as a matter of course that they will adopt a turbocharged engine for this model. This will provide a fuller vehicle line-up for the automaker.

The 2016 R8 was launched for sale on the continent not long ago. It has only one option for the motor. It is a 5.2-litre ten-cylinder engine which can generate 540 hp or 610 hp. The new turbocharged option probably will not replace the naturally aspirated motor, but will give the car a new base engine.

The boss says that their customers like them creating naturally aspirated engines. The automaker will not refuse from turbo, though naturally aspirated ones will not disappear.

An innovated turbocharged six-cylinder which is created for the RS4 could be an entry-level offering in the R8, but a gossiped turbo inline V5 will probably be used. Heinz Peter Hollerweger, the Audi Quattro chief, tells that the brand’s configuration has got such a rich history that nothing else than V5 engine, which sounds the most “Audi”, could equip the RS3. Hollerweger is not 100% sure if this will happen, but he considers there would be enough torque and power for the model under consideration. Moreover, it weighs less, therefore it would package well.

The automaker has shown an innovated V5 engine in the TT Clubsport Concept not long ago. It is capable of providing 600 hp and torque of 479 lb-ft thankfully to its electrically driven supercharger and turbocharger.

Photos in the catalog

More news

Audi's Upcoming Electric Targa Sports Car Will Share the Next Porsche 718 EV Platform
Audi's Upcoming Electric Targa Sports Car Will Share the Next Porsche 718 EV Platform
Porsche CFO Jochen Breckner confirmed that the production version of the Audi Concept C, known internally as C-Sport, will use the dedicated electric architecture developed for the next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman. Both Porsche's electric sports cars and Audi's open-top targa are scheduled to debut in 2027.
28.Oct.2026
Audi Will Build the Q7, Q8, and Q9 SUVs at Its Future Plant in Georgia
Audi Will Build the Q7, Q8, and Q9 SUVs at Its Future Plant in Georgia
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed that the company's upcoming US factory, with an annual capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles, will assemble combustion and plug-in hybrid Q7, Q8, and Q9 SUVs starting in the early 2030s.
27.Oct.2026
2026 Audi A6 Sedan with 362-HP V-6 Tested in MotorTrend Car of the Year Finals
2026 Audi A6 Sedan with 362-HP V-6 Tested in MotorTrend Car of the Year Finals
MotorTrend evaluated the redesigned 2026 Audi A6 sedan during its Car of the Year testing, putting both Prestige and Sport trims through proving ground and road tests. Now powered exclusively by a 362-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6, the luxury sedan reached the finalist round thanks to its cabin technology and handling, despite criticism of its throttle response and firm steel-spring ride.
20.Oct.2026
Next-Generation Audi Q7 Earns Five-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating
Next-Generation Audi Q7 Earns Five-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating
European safety organization Euro NCAP has tested the new-generation Audi Q7, awarding the SUV a maximum five-star rating alongside a 100% score for post-crash safety. At the same time, testers noted weak head protection for cyclists and increased frontal impact severity for oncoming vehicles.
19.Oct.2026
Audi launches compact A2 e-tron with up to 401 miles of range for Europe
Audi launches compact A2 e-tron with up to 401 miles of range for Europe
Audi has launched the compact A2 e-tron electric hatchback on the MEB platform, developed specifically for European customers. The rear-wheel-drive EV offers outputs between 168 hp and 322 hp with a driving range of up to 401 miles on the WLTP cycle.
22.Sep.2026
The Icon Returns: Audi Unveils the All-Electric A2 E-Tron
The Icon Returns: Audi Unveils the All-Electric A2 E-Tron
More than twenty years after the original model ended production, Audi has revived the historic nameplate as the all-electric A2 E-Tron hatchback. Built with an impressive drag coefficient of 0.24, the compact rear-wheel-drive EV offers powertrains producing up to 322 horsepower and an electric range reaching 401 miles. Inside, the spacious cabin features an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit, a curved 12.8-inch touchscreen, and innovative Fidlock magnetic accessory mounts.
07.Sep.2026