Could Dieselgate Really Kill Off The Audi R8?
It’ll be years before we know the full implications of VW Group’s emissions-fixing scandal, but already we’re getting a clearer picture of what it could mean for VAG subsidiary Audi in the near future.
According to German publication Der Spiegel, Audi-developed platforms may well go in the name of cost-cutting. The main implication would be the death of the MLB platform that underpins everything from the A4 to the A8. It’d most likely be replaced by a common architecture used between Audi, Porsche and Bentley for anything A6-sized and larger, with the A4 and A5 forced to adopt VW Group’s widely used MQB platform.
Of greater interest is what the whole no Audi-developed platforms thing means for the Audi R8. Der Spiegel’s report calls into question the future of the R8 - after all, it does sit on an Audi-developed, space-frame-based platform. If a third-generation R8 does happen, it would most likely be based on the Porsche 911, according to Der Spiegel. Really?
This part of the report we’re not so sure about. Unless a mid-engined 911 is around the corner, we really can’t see Audi making a rear-engined supercar. And also, what this prediction doesn’t factor in is the eventual replacement for the R8-related Lamborghini Huracan.
Only a few weeks ago VW Group’s advisory board chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch was quoted as ruling out flogging brands to see it through the financial turmoil, which means Lamborghini is going nowhere. It’d make sense then for the next versions of the R8 and Huracan to share a common platform once more. Whether or not that’d see Lamborghini taking on more of the platform development burden than Audi, we can only speculate.
It’s far too early to call this one, but for now we’ll remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the R8.
Source: Der Spiegel via Autocar
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Or could the R8 kill off dieselgate plz? I quite like the R8 and don’t want to see it go.
Agreed
Me when I read this
who else thinks the rear end of a lamborghini huracan is beautiful
Especially he rwd version
And what happens whit Bugatti???
That stays, but plans on a saloon has been put down because of it.
Bugatti is a symbol of prestige for both the brand and the owner, Volkswagen uses it as a platform to show what is technically possible.
So then there’ll be no one to tailgate me in the near future
YES THE ROADS WILL BE FREED of curse of the AUDIMAN!
Buuu.buuu.buu…. V10 powaaa?
Shh… we know nothing we can do now..well actually we can. V10 ENGINE SWAP POWAA
It’s a relatively low production car, a halo car and one that doesn’t need money pumped into it to develop it further - it’s a car that can stay as it is for a few years (Looking at you Nissan GTR).
Der Spiegel möchte nur eine Person meiner Stärke für die deutsche Automobilindustrie-Analyse.
I’d rather Audi kill R8 if they can keep the MLB platform to A4/A5/Q5. If they put A4 on a MQB platform, it will pretty much end the competition between A4 and 3 series+C class, A5 and 4 series+C coupe as well as Q5 and X3+GLC. It is so stupid. Every luxury car manufacture except for Acura and certain Lexus uses longitudinal engine RWD based layout. If they uses MQB, A4 will pretty much fall to the level to compete with Acura TLX and people will think A4 as a glorified Passat. It will certainly be a marketing disaster.
Too soon
NOOOOOO please kill the chiron not the R8
So in a couple of years time, regardless of you drive from the VAG range, deep down, it will be a VW Up!