YAHOO AUTOS
Posted By Zach Doell
The idea of an all-electric Audi R8 supercar is nothing new. What began as a concept, revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, quickly became the on-again off-again pet project of Audi’s head of technical development, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg.
According to the UK’s Auto Express, after six years of automotive limbo, Audi has finally decided to build the e-tron R8, and it’s coming next year.
Audi’s e-tron overhaul will coincide with the R8’s first all-new model since its original debut in 2006. Taking into mind Lamborghini’s ownership under the Audi marque, that two-way street of technical development will contribute heavily to the next R8, especially its chassis. The R8 will sit atop a stretched version of the Lamborghini Huracan’s carbon fiber and aluminum architecture and boast a choice of either V8 or V10 power.
The optional e-tron model will ditch the gas-powered engines in favor of batteries and electric motors driving all four wheels with an estimated 250 miles of all-electric range.
A plug-in hybrid version using the powertrain plucked from the Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 concept – a V10 paired with three electric motors – remains a possibility as well, according to Hackenberg.
When it does come to market next year, the R8 e-tron will likely carry with it a significant price premium over the baseline V8-toting R8 model, though just how much has yet to be seen.
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