'LB724' Gallardo Replacement in 2013, new Audi R8 for 2014

Brian was talking about some of this in the other thread as the rumors about the R8 successor that have been leaking out for a while now. This time however they finally include some information about the Gallardo replacement timeline:

 

Audi plans to catapult its second-generation R8 firmly into the thick end of the supercar ranks alongside competition from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. In its bid, the new R8 will bring together some of Audi’s most advanced construction techniques, driveline engineering, aerodynamics and electronics.

 

Already under intense development at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, the new R8 will go on sale in coupé guise in the UK during the third quarter of 2014, with a roadster version due during the second quarter of 2015.

 

Once again, Audi is planning a two-model line-up, with a base 4.2-litre V8 and range-topping 5.2-litre V10. Both models receive updated versions of the first-generation R8’s engines, optimised for greater power and fuel economy. The V10 is said to develop about 550bhp and return 25.7mpg in combination with a new seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox that is set to underpin changes on a facelifted version of today’s model, due to make its public debut at the Moscow motor show in August.

 

A follow-up to the limited-production GT is planned, too. It will run an even more powerful, 580bhp version of Audi’s 5.2-litre V10 and a lightweight body. It will be aimed at the upcoming Ferrari 458 Scuderia, next-gen Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and new Porsche 911 GT3, although it isn’t planned to see the light of day until 2016.

 

As well as acting as a technological figurehead for the rest of the Audi line-up, the next R8 has been earmarked to usher in a new generation of exterior design. Elements of that will begin to appear on the upcoming all-electric E-Tron - a car that is set to share a large part of its structural architecture with the new R8 coupé and roadster.

 

Conceptually, the new Audi retains the same fundamentals as today’s model, with a predominantly aluminium structure, long (by supercar standards) wheelbase, roomy two-seat cabin, a mid-engined layout and four-wheel drive.

 

Despite the apparent similarities, though, essential elements of the new car already seen by Autocar reveal the new R8, known internally under the codename AU724, is a clean-sheet design. It shares only its driveline architecture with the existing model, which has been on sale in the UK since 2007.

 

Key among the developments destined for the new R8 is a weight reduction programme that sets out to bring the base model in at under 1500kg. That’s a reduction of at least 60kg on today’s R8, despite the inclusion of greater levels of both passive and active safety measures, including radar controlled anti-collision technology.

 

The new mid-engined Audi is once again being twinned with sister company Lamborghini’s successor to the Gallardo, codenamed LB724 and due to appear almost a year before the R8, in 2013.

 

Both cars have been conceived around a modular construction process. This will allow them to share vital components, including selected parts of a new lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium monocoque that, Autocar can confirm, weighs 198kg. That’s 24kg less than the all-aluminium structure used by today’s R8.

 

All up, Audi has included 28.1kg of carbonfibre in the new R8’s structure, including the transmission tunnel, floor, rear bulkhead and B-pillars. The remaining 169.9kg consists of aluminium and a patented bonding epoxy resin used to join the individual elements together. By comparison, Audi’s measuring methods put the steel structure of today’s 911 Turbo at 324kg.

 

Despite using a similar structure, the R8 and Gallardo have different wheelbases. The R8’s is 30mm longer than the Gallardo’s for greater levels of interior accommodation, including stowage space behind the seats. By using a shorter wheelbase than the Audi, the structure of the new Lamborghini is a further 3kg lighter, at just 195kg.

 

Power for the new R8 will come from updated versions of today’s naturally aspirated, 90deg 4.2-litre V8 and 5.2-litre V10. Insiders at Audi’s quattro operation describe these engines as having the potential to conform to forthcoming EU6 emissions standards, despite concerns over the levels of particulates without the inclusion of a separate filter or complex exhaust gas recycling treatment.

 

Detailed internal modifications — including an altered variable inlet chamber and a more efficient direct injection process boasting greater injection pressure — will aim to liberate greater reserves.

 

Nothing is official, but Autocar has been told to expect somewhere in the region of 450bhp for the V8 and up to 550bhp for the V10 in standard guise — up some 20bhp and 25bhp on today’s units. Other new features, such as cylinder deactivation on part-throttle loads, should help boost economy.

 

And in line with other recent new Audi models, the R8 is expected to receive a further host of fuel saving measures. These will include automatic stop-start, brake energy recuperation and a sailing function, similar to that adopted by Porsche on the 911, that idles the engine during prolonged periods of trailing throttle or downhill running.

 

The retention of naturally aspirated engines rather than adopting turbocharged units stems from a decision to provide the R8 with what one key Audi insider describes as a highly strung nature.

 

“It is important to retain the engine qualities which have made the current model so successful,” the insider said. “We want to keep the throttle response, the soaring nature of the delivery and the inherent sound. It is what sets our car apart from the competition, many of which are now adopting forced induction.”

 

Was gonna say "In before Mako and his speculation-zapping laser gun" but then I realized you were the thread starter

Let me photoshop something - I'm picturing aventador side mirrors and a murcie roadster soft-top. It will be a semi-official rendering.

Hmm, that is somewhat later than I thought for the R8.

 

On a side note, I really hope they scrap the old V8, it sucks even in the new configuration!

The tuners have proven that you can retain the engine's "high strung" nature while adding forced induction. Not sure why Audi can't figure it out. The standard V8 is seriously down on power.

 

My issues on that report. They mention the R8 size thing and the V10 in use.

 

Well the current R8 version is bigger than the Gallardo, it is like they are padding the article out or they recycled it from the initial article when the R8 came out! Just a small thing but it just seemed odd to include the info how they did.

 

Also the V10, I was told that manufacturing of the V10 was halted. The V10 Audi produced being a tweaked variant of the one they crate to Lambo. Currently Lambo must have their stock pile of engines but the way it was told to me is that "you may have an issue actually placing an order for a Audi V10 powered car."

This suggests either they have stopped that Audi engine spec production for good or a temp stop so they can retool that production line.

Oh and Mako, you have changed

The tuners have proven that you can retain the engine's "high strung" nature while adding forced induction. Not sure why Audi can't figure it out. The standard V8 is seriously down on power.

 

Don't get me started on gasmileage... My RS5 was the worst car I have ever owned!

The tuners have proven that you can retain the engine's "high strung" nature while adding forced induction. Not sure why Audi can't figure it out. The standard V8 is seriously down on power.

 

I doubt that's the real reason. It's probably related to cost. The longer they can use and refine their products, the more profitable they are. My guess is that these NA engine designs are not yet beyond their shelf life and can be significantly improved without designing something drastically different and expensive. VW has people working on tons of different engines and designs. Perhaps it's better that Audi continue to refine and learn from this design, while Porsche can work on turbo set ups with another design. I'm sure there is plenty of room for improvement and plenty of untapped potential in these. Who knows, maybe some really good technology has or will come from refining these NA engines.

 

Also, adding turbos might not be beneficial to them as a business. The only reason any of us want to see a turbo car is because it's easier/cheaper to boost performance. That is counter productive to the car companies. I'm sure they'd love to see all tuning companies disappear. If you give me the choice of two engines with the exact same performance and MPG, assuming neither will be modded, I probably wouldn't care which I had. I'd probably choose the NA one though.

 

I didn't buy a V10 or GT because I decided it was better and cheaper to get more performance out of a TT mod than to buy a new car. So now they've lost 1 or 2 sales of $150-200K. If they made their cars so easy to mod, then it wouldn't have even be a question. I wouldn't have even had to think twice about it. Manufacturers lose quite a bit of money due to tuning.

My issues on that report. They mention the R8 size thing and the V10 in use.

 

Well the current R8 version is bigger than the Gallardo, it is like they are padding the article out or they recycled it from the initial article when the R8 came out! Just a small thing but it just seemed odd to include the info how they did.

 

Also the V10, I was told that manufacturing of the V10 was halted. The V10 Audi produced being a tweaked variant of the one they crate to Lambo. Currently Lambo must have their stock pile of engines but the way it was told to me is that "you may have an issue actually placing an order for a Audi V10 powered car."

This suggests either they have stopped that Audi engine spec production for good or a temp stop so they can retool that production line.

 

I also doubt some of the things in that article. What I've heard from a very reputable source, was that the engine choice for the next R8 was still undecided, but could very possibly be a Porsche-source V8 with 550hp.

I also doubt some of the things in that article. What I've heard from a very reputable source, was that the engine choice for the next R8 was still undecided, but could very possibly be a Porsche-source V8 with 550hp.

The panamera turbo S engine is a frighteningly staggering engine when looking at the performance and Eco stats. The latest Porsche engines while subject to a number of odd ECU glitches are phenomenal pieces of engineering and I am unsure why Audi are shunning them in favour of their home brewed powerplants.

Even the hybrid pana is worth a look as an engine!

The panamera turbo S engine is a frighteningly staggering engine when looking at the performance and Eco stats. The latest Porsche engines while subject to a number of odd ECU glitches are phenomenal pieces of engineering and I am unsure why Audi are shunning them in favour of their home brewed powerplants.

Even the hybrid pana is worth a look as an engine!

 

Maybe it's a matter of pride. I heard that Audi was pretty pissed that they were delegated to do SUVs while Porsche got to do the sports car platform. I don't think the R8 team members would be thrilled to have their projects taken away and forced to work on boring stuff. If you were an employee working on the mid-engine exotic program and then got shifted to SUVs, you'd probably be rather dissatisfied, especially after proving yourself with the R8.

 

Though to be honest, everything under VW is probably a mix match of talent and technology. Porsche's engines probably include technology from the entire group, as well as from outside companies like Bosch. To call it a Porsche engine is probably stretching it.

The proper format for regurgitating barfed-up info on L-Power like this article is that it's ok to post it PROVIDED that you use the word "speculation" in the thread TITLE.

 

Too many times you rubes believe anything you read in a rag thinking it's the bible and that they have 'inside sources' (they don't), then come post it here without the proper disclaimers.

 

Use 'speculation' in the thread title to avoid confusion as I did to properly identify a rumor versus actual fact.

 

That also goes for the useage of the word "PHOTOSHOP" which should be in the thread title any time you post some horseshit render that a 19-year old intern did for one of these rags, which then has 50x L-Power lurkers who don't READ a thread before clicking 'reploy' posting their two cents on it and giving their 'opinion' on the pretend car's new look...

Oh and Mako, you have changed

 

Marriage does that

 

 

I hope the g replacement goes even farther with the styling than the Aventador. Also I hope it has scissor or dihedral doors.

I hope the g replacement goes even farther with the styling than the Aventador. Also I hope it has scissor or dihedral doors.

 

I highly doubt we will see the styling pushed further than the Aventador and I am almost willing to bet we won't see doors of any variety that swing up.

 

That being said you are right, it would be sweet to see some Koenigsegg style doors.

Look what Winky said 10 months ago:

 

When can we expect to see a Gallardo replacement?

Years from now…

 

linky

Lambo lost the plot, we need the replacement ASAP!

Lambo lost the plot, we need the replacement ASAP!

It's likely a 2014 car, they've mentioned it a few times since that piece with Winky, which means it likely gets unveiled a year or so from today at a major show, with first deliveries happening 4-6 months after (late Spring of 2014).

 

So, 18 months from today the keys are in your hands. That's my best guess based on everything they've said publically about it the past few months.

 

Hope it's a winner, because there is a fcuk-ton more competition in that segment now (and more coming) than there was in 2004...

It's definitely time for a replacement. I'd say by the end of 2013 is a good time...not YEARS from now!

Rather than building that ridiculous unecessary SUV they should bring the replacement, I am starting to agree with Allan, Winky is an idiot.

 

Dealers are hurting with one car line up, I am certain by now most of them are embarrassed trying to paddle restickered redundant Gallardos.

 

It is ridiculous to think that we still have to wait 2 more years to see the replacement and perhaps two more thereafter until I get to buy the SL version

 

All this jabbering about a replacement yet the Aventador is keeping them plenty busy and coffers full according to the last Audi report.

Why rush?

 

But if lambo did rush then they get knocked for bring a sub spec product to the market place.

 

 

The third model will have loads of green toys on it bringing the group average emissions down.

All this jabbering about a replacement yet the Aventador is keeping them plenty busy and coffers full according to the last Audi report.

Why rush?

 

But if lambo did rush then they get knocked for bring a sub spec product to the market place.

 

 

The third model will have loads of green toys on it bringing the group average emissions down.

 

+ they delivered 1,602 units in 2011 vs 1,302 units in 2010.

so why the rush ?

Who cares about the Aventador?

 

I am not buying one and so many other people are in my situation, they are not satisfying the largest percentage of their existing customer base, in business is easier to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones also your coffers are never full enough, unfortunately Lambo sucks at business.

 

I want to see them retain their existing worldwide dealer network just by selling a handful of Aventadors.

Who cares about the Aventador?

 

I am not buying one and so many other people are in my situation, they are not satisfying the largest percentage of their existing customer base, in business is easier to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones also your coffers are never full enough, unfortunately Lambo sucks at business.

 

I want to see them retain their existing worldwide dealer network just by selling a handful of Aventadors.

 

 

The Aventador is so much more exciting to drive and better looking than any of the competition right now. It is a home run. I will have the roadster version too. This car is the perfect product for me. I represent a certain segment of Lamborghini owner market. Those who love the old cars, but prefer the new technology. We want the looks, speed/power, reliability, and the exciting experience. Air condition that works, blue tooth, paddle shifting, etc. I love paddles because it makes it easier to DD a car with them over stick. I can take business calls in any of my cars. Slip it in auto shift mode, get on blue tooth and suddenly my car is my office. With my various businesses and the amount of calls I get that I have to take, I need that. I have owned old Ferraris and I had terrible experiences. My new Ferrari's and Lamborghini's have been pure pleasure.

 

As much as I want to see it, the Gallardo replacement is better off waiting for people like me. The Aventador is too new. I love driving it. I probably wouldn't be interested in a Gallardo replacement for at least 2 more years. Then, maybe I would add it to my garage. If it came out tomorrow, unless it was something totally insane like the Sesto Elelmento (which it couldn't be due to price point), I would pass until there is an SL version. Even then, I would have to love it to get it. The Gallardo is a hard act to follow.

 

The Urus is going to be an excellent addition for me. I need a larger 4-seat, big trunk space solution for my family. I drive a lot and I like to drive fun automobiles that I find attractive. Do I love the Urus? Do I love any SUV? Other than my Humvee, no. Unfortunately, the Hummer H1 is no longer made and I question the reliability of any 10 + year old car (which my final edition H1 Alpha was a 2006 model). So, the Urus provides the best solution, unless another brand comes up with a sportier, better looking, equal or more spacious SUV for the 2016-2017 model year.

 

I hope they make the Estoque too. I like that car more than the Urus.

 

I hope Lamborghini increases their brand reach to these other areas. The Gallardo replacement is on the list of things I want, but currently at the bottom of that list. But, I am only one type of owner.