Next Audi R8 to eschew engine downsizing, go on diet instead

Looking across the Audi landscape, many models that used to get the company's high-revving, naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 are now powered by smaller, yet similarly powerful, forced-induction engines. From what Auto Express is reporting, though, the next-generation Audi R8 will not meet this same fate.

Rather than ditching its V8 and V10 powerplants, the next-gen R8 – expected to debut in 2015 – will shed pounds from its curb weight. The 2014 R8 currently weighs between 3,583 pounds and up to 3,957 pounds, but the report says that engineers are targeting a weight of less than 3,300 pounds. All models will get cylinder deactivation, which along with lower curb weights should help to improve fuel economy and emissions.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/26/n...-diet-instead/

 

How much more of a diet can they (reasonably) put it on? Doesn't it already have an all-aluminum body and frame?

 

Maybe they are doing carbon fiber next. You know those car makers, they'll always find a way

Or they are probably going to get rid of that stupid passenger seat.

 

Not much of an Audi fan, but I love it! Keeping the nice naturally-aspirated engines and going for weight loss rather than absurd power wars. Big

Now if only they would cut the weight even more by making an RWD-only version... I'd have to think a lightweight 4.2 in that form would make a lovely daily driver...

 

At least for one more generation

 

Yep. All the more reason to hurry up and buy one, I guess.

 

i am so glad about the direction they are heading, focus on the weight!

 

Looks like they're taking a page out of Chapman's book - "simplify, and add lightness" (paraphrasing, but my mantra since I began tooling on cars).

 

2013 Z06 weighs 3175 lbs, so the R8 should be able to/needs to get close to that IMO.

 

Unless the price goes up for more expensive lighter materials, standard Quattro, that's a tough goal to meet

 

Also, the Corvette doesn't have the same level of sound insulation or luxury mats as the base R8s. All that stuff adds a lot of weight.

Setting a low target is nice, but otherwise these cars aren't comparable in form, function, or target market.

 

Less weight= more cost .....

I hope its significant like 300-400 lbs and not 40lbs bragging about "weight savings"

 

The Audi, especially the V8, isn't really competing with the Z06 from a performance standpoint. The R8 is more of a prestige, quasi-exotic, luxury, daily-driveable 'sports' car.

I mean, the Z06 is no slouch in terms of prestige as well given that it's something like $80-$90k IIRC, but the markets are slightly different.

 

The next-gen pic guesses at Auto Express look pretty slick. Styling-wise, they need to dump the black-eyed look.

 

I luv this vehicle since the day it arrive on the scene. Despite Audi being such a large car company. It's amazing how they continue to make nice cars.
I wonder what a used 2011 R8 goes far these days. Of course I would need a nice warranty.