R8 Coupe

Make
Audi
Segment
Coupe

As of right now, the Audi R8 only comes with one engine, a 5.2-liter V10 that pushes out 540 hp. For enthusiasts looking for even more power, the V10 Plus gets tuned to deliver 610 hp. But what about the enthusiasts that don't have roughly $160,000 to spend a supercar? According to Car and Driver, reliable sources at Audi are pointing towards a twin-turbocharged V6 unit for the base model. The twin-turbo engine will be a version of the 354-hp V6 that's found in the 2017 Audi S4.

While a twin-turbo V6 doesn't sound like a bad idea for a supercar, we're a little skeptical about its output if it's the same unit from a high-performance sedan. The V6 will be matched to the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission found in the larger V10. The power will be put down through all four wheels, of course, with bias towards the rear for enhanced agility. With an ungoverned top speed, the V6-powered R8 is expected to max at around 190 mph. This news dispels rumors of a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which is found in the TT RS. "A five-cylinder engine in the R8 would have created a strange internal competition between the entry-level R8 and the TT RS," a source told Car and Driver.

The V6-powered R8 will be the third powertrain option for the supercar as the automaker is planning to launch an extremely limited run of the all-electric R8 e-tron. Apparently, Audi will also make high-powered versions of the V10-powered R8, as well. Look out for the R8 with a V6 under the hood in early 2019.