Audi says weak demand killed R8's V8 engine and manual gearbox

2015 Audi R8 at 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Lack of demand

quattro boss Heinz Hollerweger has shed some light
about the reasons as to why the second
generation Audi R8 won't get a V8 engine and a manual gearbox.

Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, Hollerweger said "we
have no interest in a V8" mainly because the take rate for this version was low
in the first generation as many customers preferred to opt for the larger V10, a
situation which he admits has exceeded Audi's expectations.

For the same reason, there won't be a manual gearbox in the
new R8 as in Europe for example, the demand for a manual R8 was almost
inexistent. Hollerweger said the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox enables
the supercar to be faster around the track and very few people have expressed
their interested in a manual variant of the new generation.

The second-gen R8 won't be V10-only as Audi has also
introduced a fully electric e-tron
variant and there are also rumors about a new entry-level model equipped
with a V6
engine while a TDI-powered
derivative could happen as well but these will arrive at a later date if
green-lighted for production.