The third-generation Audi R8 is set to ditch its
naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine in favor of an all-electric
performance that will lift the vehicle’s performance to new heights. Autocar asserts that the new Audi
R8 will take inspiration from the recent PB18 e-tron Concept. That vehicle
utilizes a 764 hp electric powertrain and Audi’s believes it can reach 300 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in a touch over two seconds. The
new R8 will offer even greater performance.
It is claimed that the vehicle’s electric motors
will be so powerful that the car will deliver in excess of 1000 hp funneled
through all four wheels. This should result in performance on par with the
likes of the next-generation Tesla Roadster and Rimac C_Two.
It remains to be seen why Audi has made the decision
to overhaul the R8 so radically but it does signify the rise of
performance-focused electric powertrains and the slow death of internal
combustion engines without any electric assist.
Interestingly, all of the R8’s current rivals are
expected to become hybrids at the start of next decade, rather than
all-electric monsters. For example, successors to the McLaren 720S, Lamborghini
Huracan, and Ferrari 488 GTB will all be hybrids. Evidently, the next Huracan
will be the only vehicle from the VW Group competing in this segment.
Before the new Audi R8 arrives, a selection of other
all-electric Audi models will launch. The first of these will be the E-tron
Sportback, a sibling to the E-tron crossover that’s just around the corner.
After those two models hit the market, Audi Sport will unleash its first
electric model, dubbed the E-tron GT and produced as an alternative to the
Porsche Taycan.
