The Porsche Panamera's New V6 Will End Up In The Audi R8

According to reports, the new 2.9-litre twin-turbo engine from the Panamera S is destined for the R8, along with other fast cars from Audi

Matt Robinson

16 Sep 2016

The Porsche Panamera's New V6 Will End Up In The Audi R8

Rumours of the Audi R8 gaining a V6 option are nothing new, but now we have a good idea of which particular six-pot will end up nestling in the supercar’s engine bay.

According to a report from Autocar, we can expect a future entry-level R8 to use the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 found in the Panamera S, an engine co-developed between Porsche and Audi. It’ll also end up in the future RS4, RS5 and RSQ5.

The V6 R8 - expected to arrive in 2018 - should be a massive seller in markets like China, thanks to vehicle taxation laws.

It won’t quite have the charm of the revvy old 4.2-litre, naturally-aspirated V8, but it should be plenty powerful. It’s good for for 434bhp and 405lb ft in the Panamera S, but expect the output to be cranked closer to the 500bhp mark when it’s used in Ingolstadt’s hotter products.

Comments

Will they cancel the v10?

Unsure at this stage. This is a replacement for the old V8, so hopefully the V10 has a bit of life left in it yet…

V10 Plus will always be my Favourite R8

RIP V8 …
That was one of the best engines Audi has ever made

*THE best

Yep the 4.2 V8…..probably my all time favorite engine…

Why though? It didn’t even match the claimed performance figures. 4.2 litre V8 = sh*t.

If they replace the V10.. #RipR8

Especially because the Lamborghini V10 was developed by Audi. The more you know…

Please be a manual. Please. Come on.

Based on the fever of “performance and efficiency” the Germans are known for I’d unfortunately say that chances of manual in an R8 are slim to none :(

Why doesn’t Audi just put in instead a 991 GT3 engine in the new R8…. They have access to best engines from Porsche :D

It would be too difficult to make it into an AWD mid engine car without being a hybrid and if Porsche won’t put it in a Cayman they won’t put it in an R8 haha. I would love to see that though.

Because a flat six is too wide to fit in the R8’s engine compartment. Not to mention that layout and sound is unique to the 911. Doesn’t match the personality and characteristics of the car. They know what they’re doing I’m sure.

I cry.

But a TT RS has 5 cylinders and a turbo…
Does this mean it can catch this V6 R8??

This too has a turbo, though I’d prefer a I5T in an R8

Some sources said that there would be a turbo and supercharged (I think the proper term is twincharged) 2.5L straight-5 as the entry-level engine for the R8. But guess what? That ridiculous straight five would supposedly have 600hp!