Audi R8 range to grow

The Audi R8 Spyder V8 - just part of a bigger and improved Audi R8 range

Audi are planning a V8 version of the R8 spyder which will come with Audi’s new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch. Also in the mix is an R8 V10 RS.

Only last week we reported on the likelihood that there will soon be a V8 version of the Audi R8 Spyder. Which makes a whole lot of sense for Audi. Now they’ve mopped up the early buyers on the R8 V10 it really is time to give a more ‘affordable’ option, if any car approaching £100k can ever be considered ‘affordable’.

With speculation on the R8 buzzing around we thought it was perhaps time to have a chat with a well-placed contact at Audi. And it seems we were on the money with the R8 Spyder coming with 2 pots less. But it would also seem that our wish to see the R8 V8 get the new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch ‘box that’s turned up in the new RS5 is going to be granted, and it will be introduced at the same time as the R8 V8 Spyder – probably at Frankfurt in September.

It also seems as if – although we could not get any real commitment from our source beyond a knowing smile – that Audi are planning to do a ‘Superleggera’ version of the R8 V10, with oodles of carbon fibre and a stripped down weight. An Audi R8 V10 RS would come in at less money than a Lamborghini PP560-4, but probably perform at least as well as the new LP570-4. So it’s going to be a difficult one to get past the internal politics at VAG. As will using the ‘RS’ moniker on the R8, if that’s the way they go. Oh, and let’s not forget Audi have already said they will build a limited run of the R8 e-tron

None of which should be remotely surprising. Audi aim to fill every niche there is, and the R8 certainly has room for at least another couple of versions.