Next Audi R8 Could Use The Asterion’s Hybrid Drivetrain

Last week the Lamborghini Asterion debuted with an incredible 910 horsepower hybrid drivetrain…that they have no intention of producing, apparently. But don’t fret, because the next-gen Audi R8 could end up using the Asterion’s drivetrain for a plug-in hybrid performance model, reports Car Magazine.

Slated to arrive in the summer of 2015 is an all-new Audi R8, and it will bring with it a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and interestingly enough, Audi R&D board member Ulrich Hackenberg mentioned that the R8 shares the same platform as the Lamborghini Asterion. Is that a hint that the Lamborghini concept and the production plug-in R8 could share drivetrains?

With 900 horsepower from three electric motors and a 5.2 liter V10, it would give Audi a hypercar to compete with the likes of the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. It would also go along with Audi’s plans to offer plug-in versions of every vehicle in its lineup. The Audi A3 e-tron is the first plug-in to hit Audi dealers, but the R8 e-tron is easily the most exciting.

The plug-in Audi R8 hybrid would be joined by an all-electric version of the R8, which was granted a second life thanks to new battery chemistry that offers a longer range and better performance. Audi will then have two electrified supercars in its lineup to rival the likes of the BMW i8 and Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive. Alas, this will come at the cost of the manual transmission option, as only the dual-clutch automatic will be offered in the 2015 R8.

Unfortunately, electrification is only ushering in the death of the manual transmission, though I doubt that would dampen the thrill of driving a 900 horsepower R8 hybrid all that much for most people.

Source: Gas 2.