The next-generation Audi R8 will arrive fairly soon, and it's already been confirmed power will come from the familiar 4.2-liter V8 and 5.2-liter V10 engines. Thing is, Audi is firmly aware that due to increasing emissions standards in many countries, the long-term future of these engines is questionable. In other words, eventually both the V8 and V10 will have to go. That's not happening just yet, but Audi has already begun to prepare for that day.

According to a new report, sometime during the next R8's lifecycle, it'll "need a turbocharged engine." This comes directly from Audi's technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg. "In some countries," Hackenberg continued, "you need to reduce the capacity of engines also and we need to find solutions for these markets. So we're looking at smaller engines, yes." For now, those naturally aspirated engines will live on, but the future may be a different story entirely.