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
could you guys in US just forgive VAG?… just one time, they haven’t done anything wrong for years
just no fines, no recalls, just forget about it and move on and let VW make more niche cars, like Golf R420 and various sportscars and supercars..
Please?
Dont please
Sure thing, lets make VW group an european equivalent to 90’s GM with its badge engineering
It already kinda is
the new R8 isn’t selling as well as the old one did, so it’s possible that they might kill it off, but the new Huracan Spyder is not gonna be affected.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that the Gallardo first time shared it’s platform with the first gen R8. And I’m totally aware that the Gallardo was developed when Audi bought Lamborghini. What I’m trying to say is, that the borrowed platform from the Gallardo has been developed further to make the newer car lighter and stiffer. Then they took the “all-new platform” on the second generation R8 before they made a Huracan out of it. So, the argument that the Huracan could be axed because there might not will be a next gen R8 is not that correct to my eyes. Just my two cents.
I would like to comment on something other than the R8.
The caption of one of your photos says that future A4’s might be on the MQB platform. If the A4 goes transverse, it may as well just die off. We don’t need a bigger A3, and we certainly don’t want transverse layouts featuring that Haldex based Quattro that isn’t worth it’s weight in sand. They are already going towards that “Quattro Ultra” BS, but I am willing to give that one the benefit of the doubt until we see tests. Haldex, however, has proven itself to be nothing more than FWD+.
Well, at least we will still have old A4’s and 80’s to turn into understeering, pavement removing, fire breathing daily’s.
I hope that if they DO decide to kill off the longitudinal A4, they at least make a 5-cylinder S4 prior to that.
Hasn’t the A4 been transverse since forever?
No. The r8 can not leave.
I think they would sell ducati first and after that bentley
In history it was always like that there will be the top shelf technology that will show all that can be done so the top shelf stuff is gonna stay its the cars that are sold in biggest number will go through change because thats where VAG makes most of their money. (save the most)
Yes