Work on an electrical Audi R8 successor stated to be ‘properly beneath means’

Two issues we have been in a position to rely on for the previous seven or eight years are rumors of the Audi R8’s loss of life and rumors of an electrical R8 successor. The previous is lastly truth: When the Audi R8 exits stage left into the underworld on the finish of this mannequin yr, will probably be the primary time since 2006 that the Ingolstadt automaker has lacked a two-door sports activities automotive flagship. The latter continues to be rumor that seems to be inching nearer to truth. A report in Autocar final yr cited an automaker exec as saying that “work is properly beneath means on an electrical successor to the R8.” This yr, on the Munich Motor Present, Autocar spoke to technical chief Oliver Hoffman, who supplied the element that future “iconic automobiles – sports activities automobiles and so forth … will use techniques and modules out of the [Scalable Systems Platform].”

He is referring to the SSP structure that is stated to finally help 80% of merchandise throughout Volkswagen Group manufacturers, changing the MLB, MMB, MQB, and MSB internal-combustion architectures and the battery-electric J1, MEB, PPE architectures. The modularity engineered into SSP will allow manufacturers to tweak the bones to serve a model’s product philosophy, as Porsche is doing for its super-luxe SUV due in 2027 and codenamed K1, and to create specialty fashions. Audi is claimed to be wanting on the specialty case for its iconic automobiles. Notice the plural “automobiles,” as properly — an electrical TT successor would possibly comply with the electrical R8 in the identical method.

It is most likely a very good time to handle expectations, although. Audi insiders have been noncommittal for years about what a reborn R8 would possibly appear to be, and made it clear the automotive will not be known as the R8, a reputation created for the Le Mans Prototype racer that hit the observe in 1999 and received 5 runnings of the French race. The electrical halo ideas we have seen have channeled the present R8’s vibe in solely essentially the most roundabout methods, if in any respect, just like the PB18 E-tron from 2018 you see above. So it is most likely extra correct to say — or proceed to say — that Audi’s engaged on battery-electric sports activities automobiles that may fill the slots occupied by the R8 and TT. Autocar stated the highest canine in improvement is “staying true to the two-door efficiency coupe components,” supposed to be the sharpest-handling and strongest automotive at any Audi seller. About the one agency connection between current and future is Audi’s want to construct the brand new halo in the identical Böllinger Höfe manufacturing unit assembling at this time’s automotive with comparable hand-built strategies. 

2027 is a very long time away in our hectic world, although, with world rules and product plans altering on a yearly foundation if not faster. Subsequent yr’s Q6 E-tron commences Audi’s next-gen onslaught, the sedan the primary Audi designed on the Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) structure. The primary Audi on the SSP is not anticipated till 2027, however Hoffmann plans to see a portfolio of SSP-based fashions available on the market by the tip of the last decade, which may embody the R8 successor.