Though Audi denied such rumors, it seems that they will introduce a V10 engine for the R8, producing more than 500hp, probably in the last part of 2009. After seeing several R8s catching fire last year, Audi denied that any V10 versions were in tests. Actually, the problem with the turbocharged engine was with the cooling system, because the engine had no problems producing the horsepower, but it simply overheated under extreme performance conditions.
Now, they fixed the problem. The RS8 won’t get the 580 hp turbocharged V10 which currently powers the RS6, but a normally aspirated V10 that will run cooler than the turbo and will provide somewhere around 500bhp. This will probably be a modified version of the 429 hp V10 from the S6. Powered by this engine, the RS8 will take off from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds and will reach a top speed of over 200 mph.
Audi usually adds the RS versions in the last years of every generation’s life cycle, to keep the interest, but it seems that the RS8 will make an exception, as we said, the most probable launch date being next year’s second part, after the R8 Convertible will make its debut. Another problem is that Audi probably won’t use the RS8 name, because it could create confusion between the R8 and the A8, but these details will be available closer to launch date.
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