It is also possible that a new rear-wheel-drive R8 RWS will be developed.

Audi gave the a midcycle refresh in October 2018, when the mildly redesigned model debuted with slightly increased power and other improvements. The Four Rings may be keeping the R8’s ace in the pot, as the naturally-aspirated supercar could produce a track-oriented version that incorporates upgrades from the GT3 racing car and retains its road-legal status.

One day before winning the 24 Hours of Nurburgring Audi Sport, through Oliver Hoffman, its boss, spoke out about a beefier R8 LMS during an endurance race for the fifth consecutive year. Piston Heads. He revealed Audi’s Quattro GmbH, formerly go-faster division, has “some good ideas” for a more extreme R8. However, it does not necessarily have a lot of power. Because a smaller variant of the engine would not electrify, it is unlikely that the 5.2-liter V10 will produce more horsepower. This is because it is naturally aspirated.

Hoffman said it would be logical for the GT3 racecar to lend some of its tricks to the street-legal R8, especially as the cars have quite a lot in common. The engine is a relevant example, as Audi Sport’s boss stated that the one in the race car is almost identical to the road car’s 10-cylinder motor.

Frank Stippler, who won the #4 Audi Sport Team Phoenix race to victory last weekend, is also a development driver and conducts tests at the Nurburgring so it wouldn’t be difficult for the street R8 get GT3-inspired goodies. He is an expert on both R8s and Piston Heads may be able to report that the future R8 RWS might receive some GT3-derived goodies.

The production of the track-friendly R8 is not yet confirmed. According to a statement that Linda Kurz, Audi’s marketing manager made in September 2018, a new, tail-happy R8 RWS was also being considered. Both would be appropriate for the R8’s final song, as we don’t know if a third generation Audi’s flagship sportscar will get the green light. It might not lose the V10 in order to make way for an all-electric system.

Oliver Hoffman stated in the same interview that Audi Sport does not feel obliged to produce more rear-wheel-drive cars or take the BMW xDrive route with a Quattro system. “Quattro” is Audi Sport, and we believe our customers appreciate all-wheel-drive in our main RS models.

Audi Sport’s man in charge reiterated his plans to launch an RS Q8 to go with the SQ8. Although he didn’t specify when, the Ingolstadt-based marque strongly hinted at its Annual General Meeting that the SUV-level range would be available in 2019.