The free-revving and much loved 4.2 litre normally aspirated V8 is expected to be cut from the R8 range and replaced with a 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6. For now, the second-gen R8 has only been revealed with V10 power.
The move to a force-fed V6 for the entry-level model is being made partly for reduced emissions and possibly for tax reasons. For example, Chinese law applies heavy taxes to imported vehicles with engine capacities above 3.0 litres.
On the positive side, it’s predicted the 2.9 litre V6 could make around 335kW (450hp), up from the V8’s 308kW (414hp). And, we’ll always have the normally aspirated 5.2 litre V10 (pictured).
At the time of writing there is no date locked in for the Australian launch of the new R8, but you should expect to see it on local roads by mid-2016.
[Source: Car]