Report: Audi to phase-out V10 in favor of turbo V8

Report: Audi to phase-out V10 in favor of turbo V8
By Nick Aziz - Posted September 24th 2009

With the Audi R8 V10 just starting to arrive at dealerships around the world, it might be hard to believe the German automaker is already talking about discontinuing its ten-cylinder offerings. But a new report suggests the company’s V10 mill — also found in the RS6 — is already on the way out.

Despite the unusual timing, the move isn’t a complete surprise. Given the new S4‘s recent switch back to a V6 — and possible future move to an I4 — it’s plain to see efficiency is becoming a priority at Audi, even when it comes to high-performance cars. Similarly, BMW is rumored to be considering an I6 for its next M3, and the M5′s V10 will soon be discontinued in favor of a twin-turbo V8.
According to a report by German magazine Autobild, the RS6 and R8 will follow the M5′s lead and switch to turbo V8s in the coming years. That likely means the R8 will continue to come in two variants, but rather than a V8 and V10, there will be two V8 options — naturally-aspirated and turbocharged.
Of course, these changes are not right around the corner. In all likelihood, it will be several years before Audi says goodbye to V10 power. Whether this proves to be the death knell for large engines remains to be seen, but Mercedes plan to phase out V12s makes this seem even more likely.
47 COMMENTS
1. Sector_15504309 days ago
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  thats a shame, those are sweet engines too…..
  
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2. AutoCritical309 days ago
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  I guess it makes sense. Many other companies are doing the same, the only way to look at it in a positive way is that it will be very special when they start bringing it back in many years to come!
  
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3. BlueIndependent309 days ago
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  Kind of unfortunate to see but totally understandable the way things are going with fuel supplies and increasing numbers of drivers in China and India, let alone the fact that the average American family with teenagers likely has more than two cars. Automakers switching to forced induction makes a lot of sense even if a few people will abuse them. I have a turbo 4 car and when I’m not pushing it (which is pretty much how I drive anyways) I can routinely get 400+ miles a tank in the summer with AC on a combined cycle. With AC off now in the cooler months my combined cycle will probably be more like 450+ miles on a tank. The same goes for the turbo V6 and V8 cars. Even today’s N/A V6s are in the high-200 to mid-300hp range, and the turbo models with 350-450hp are more than capable of getting the job done. Heck we have a fairly sizable crop of 250-300hp turbo 4s on the market. I don’t think there will be a jump in gas consumption, or a continuing flat trend. I think these new FI engines will save a fair amount of fuel in the long run.
  
  Right now it’s a good idea to hold shares in turbo producers like Eaton, KKK, and IHI. This could also improve Mitsu’s profits as well since they make some turbos.
  
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4. Hyperion309 days ago
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  You know, I can see the gradual move to fewer cylinders in the industry but Mercedes phasing out all their V12′s? The V12 (and I6) configurations are timeless. Maybe they aren’t available to most of us but for a major auto company to stop producing them completely? They should continue to exist in small numbers even in the coming electric era.
  
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5. wideopenthrottle309 days ago
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  F***** climate awareness. Ruins all my fun.
  
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6. fan309 days ago
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  throttle: what fun is a V10 that a lighter V8 isnt? or put it this way: what fun is a Viper that a Lotus Elise isnt? Apart from pure 0-60 acceleration, the elise will be running circles around the viper..
  
  dont get me wrong, im not saying a V10 isnt a nice engine, but trading it in for a V8 isnt that bad a deal? plus, the article isnt stating anything about how much HP / torque the V8 will deliver compared to the v10…
  
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7. Stinky007309 days ago
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  @wideopenthrottle: Actually, it won’t ruin any of your fun. A twin turbo V8 will most likely be lighter than a V10, cheaper to make and can put out more power if tuned properly.
  
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8. A4309 days ago
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  TURBO FTW!
  
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9. xcatchmyshadowx309 days ago
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  ffs, the RS6´s Biturbo V10 is a beast, what a shame!
  
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10. scratchy309 days ago
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  i prefer a lighter RS6 with a turbo V8 than a heavier one with a turbo V10.
  
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11. alsvw308 days ago
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  this will make the rs6 a instant collector. i will mis hearing that v10 snarl.
  
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12. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  what are you kids complaining about??? IT”S A TWIN TURBO V8!!!! HOLY MOTHER OF PEARLLLSSSS!!!
  It appears to be a lighter package. Maybe it can be placed farther back behind the front wheels. I think this is a GREAT move…just as is going back to the i6 for the m3…which should have always been an i6 in my opinion! The one question that I would like to ask is, Audi, is this coming to the US? If not, go screw yourself!
  
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13. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  The only reason v12′s exist is because they were invented way back when when we could put out that much power at a cheap price. Now though, automakers have advanced their technologies and can put even more power in smaller cylinder engines that make v12 useless and more expensive to build.
  
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14. arena308 days ago
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  PLEASE bring the RS5 with the new bi-turbo V8!! I can just see it now… 485 hp from the factory, chip brings it up to 600….
  
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15. ahnuconun308 days ago
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  After driving an RS4 (n.a. V8) and an S6 (n.a. V10) back-to-back, the weight difference was more than apparent. The 3700 lbs of the RS4 gives it an 8.81 lbs/hp vs. the 4200 lbs of the S6 with 9.77 lbs/hp. But the difference is also felt in the way the cars change directions, ie. handling. Granted the S6 is merely a powerful luxury sedan vs. the more sports oriented RS4. The point is this: horsepower figures and the “V10″ or “V12″ badge are just for status and prestige. A real sports-car enthusiast will dismiss the “hype” and look at the lbs/hp and how well a car can change directions. Plus since turbo technology has evolved to the point it’s at with little to no turbo-lag, all you “No replacement for displacement” dudes can SUCK IT!
  
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16. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  “No replacement for displacement” dudes can SUCK IT!
  +1
  
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17. SoTXFord308 days ago
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  While a turbo v8 sounds cool and all, I really hate all this green movement crap. Dont get me wrong, I like the idea of saving the planet and getting off foreign oil dependency, but the pure fact of the matter is that all these companies are doing this crap because its currently trendy…if they really wanted to make a difference they would have done this stuff years ago. Can’t really blame them I guess, if the lemmings want it, and it sells cars, do it…
  
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18. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  i don’t think so, regular engines weren’t that advanced a couple of years ago, let alone turbos on a good regular engine. I’m pretty sure the bmw 335′s engine was the beginning of wide spread(regular cars, not evos and such), engine development to put out as much horsepower with a smaller engine. Without this movement, I believe regular cars would be sucking a lot more than they are now! So, we actually have to thank them for this!
  
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19. VDubFSI308 days ago
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  I’m ok with the replacement of the n/a V-10 but please don’t replace the twin turbo version!!
  
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20. Elvacano308 days ago
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  How many of you here actually own a vehicle with a v10 engine?
  
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21. johnnycanuck308 days ago
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  Elvacano. Thank you.
  
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22. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  and why do we have to own a v10 exactly? If we weren’t allowed to comment because we didn’t own a certain type of car, this site forum WOULDN’T exist! So what exactly are thankful of?
  
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23. nickkop308 days ago
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  they will all maintain their status’ as amazing cars, IMO,
  i just dont know about this alleged turbo-4 in the future S4
  it better be very light, its engine better have many balance shafts (for low NVH),
  and it better TFSI with a very nice sized turbo, for a lot of cooled boost
  maybe Porsche’s VTG (variable turbine geometry) should be trickled down to Audi’s next gen S / RS models
  
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24. nickkop308 days ago
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  or better yet why not implement this technology to a versions of the sweet 2.5T I-5 from the TT-RS and RS3
  STICK THAT IN THE NEXT S and RS 4
  
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25. johnnycanuck308 days ago
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  idrin, read some of your own crap.
  
  “i don’t think so, regular engines weren’t that advanced a couple of years ago, let alone turbos on a good regular engine.”
  
  What the f*ck does that mean? Define “regular engine”.
  
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26. DenverGuy217308 days ago
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  It wouldn’t ruin my day if I went out to the garage to get the R8 and it ‘only’ had a V8 in it. I’d live
  
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27. Veda308 days ago
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  Yeap, it’s not the size and bragging factor anymore. It’s all about real performance and fuel economy. Why not though, if it’s more powerful and you can use it everyday to go to school.
  
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28. BlueIndependent308 days ago
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  I agree that most everyone commenting here likely has never even driven a V10 car let alone had the money to stand in line for a nearly six-figure Audi with one. Many of you probably have never even driven TT V6s let alone a TT V8, let alone the aforementioned V10/12 engines (to say nothing of VW’s W12/16s). Everyone also seems to be forgetting that the last RS6 was a TT V8 with 450hp. So at worst the upcoming R/S6 will be getting an engine as good or better than the last RS6 had. Doesn’t sound like a bad trade-off to me. Quit wetting yourselves over the inevitable.
  
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29. Arkay402308 days ago
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  It is a new paradigm for luxury car makers: Lexus introduces the HS, BMW importing 4 cylinder engines once again with Mercedes-Benz hot on its heels, and both BMW and Audi introducing (or reintroducing in Audi’s case) turbocharged engines across its lineup.
  
  Audi actually has a fine tradition in turbocharged engines in its more sporting cars, like the old turbo I5 found in its classic Ur-Quattro and the later Quattro Sport, so it’s good to see it move back into the R and RS segments.
  
  Turbocharging, and to a lesser degree supercharging, are more economical ways of maintaining or gaining horsepower and torque so these manufacturers are examining all avenues to increase efficiency without sacrificing performance. Even Porsche is deploying a technology like DFI to increase efficiency without gaining weight or displacement.
  
  I will miss the V10 though, my brother has an ’08 S6 and it’s a lovely engine – not to mention the R8 V10 makes an awesome alternative to the 997 Turbo…
  
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30. A4308 days ago
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  ahnuconun: a real car enthusiast will always buy the smaller, more nimble RS4 over the longer S6.
  
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31. BAD124308 days ago
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  I personally would love to see them drop in the inline 5 thats currently in the TT-RS. Best of both worlds – fuel efficient, torquey, and what a sound! 5 Cyl Turbo FTW!
  
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32. snoogah308 days ago
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  if bmws gonna downgrade to a turbo 6 from the turbo 8 in the m3 they better have the same amount or more power than the current engine I LOVE THE M3 TURBO8
  
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33. Elvacano308 days ago
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  idrino, you can comment anything you like, what bothers me is most make it sound or pretend this will affect them directly. They trash automakers for making such decisions but most likely dont even own their least expensive vehicle or talk about engines they have never driven or just probably read about on Motor trend. Like nickkop says they will still be amazing cars or perhaps even better.
  
  Point Made.
  
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34. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  johnny,
  a coupe of years ago, good engines(low displacement with great hp and torque) weren’t as widespread because the technology hadn’t spread yet. Just like direct injection and such…it used to only be available on expensive cars, but now can be found on normal cars. Put that newly designed engine in a car, and add a good twin-turbo set and you will have a power plant that is definitely better than before! What’s not to get about that? Back in the day, engines weren’t as efficient(hp) and you would have to go to displacement to get hp, now we have really efficient(for now at least) engines that make the old, larger ones, obsolete!
  
  You might like the fact that it’s a big, huge v10 under the hood because it is what it is…HUGE…but thats it, it could be made better in a smaller package! I have driven the S6…it’s kind of funny to state that no one has driven the rs6 given the fact that it’s not even sold here in the US! NO SH!T!!!
  
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35. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  elvacano,
  said like a true newb on the forum! You should read more posts on here before making yourself look stupid!
  
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36. johnnycanuck308 days ago
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  idrin, got your point. It’s just that you made it sound like anything made before ’07 should be melted down and turned back into beer cans! I have driven the S6 V10 (one of our execs has one) and while I’m not a big fan of Audi (too sterile for me) the engine was intoxicating. They can duplicate or even exceed the numbers but they can’t duplicate the feel.
  
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37. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  oh no…sorry about that…ooops
  
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38. Elvacano308 days ago
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  Idrino, you can try to educate me while driving your exciting v-10 powered machine. Until then, like you said it yourself, I’ll be posting my own opinions, dont need to read anybody else’s.
  
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39. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  Elvacano,
  are you retarded? Where did I ever mention that I owned a v-10 vehicle??
  
  You like to write your own opinions but don’t like to read anybody else’s….yep…that sounds cool…
  
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40. wideopenthrottle308 days ago
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  By “fun” I meant the bragging rights of having a V10 or V12–2 very exclusive engine configurations–and also their corresponding sensory feedback. Don’t get me wrong a TT-V8 will have an awesome exhaust note, but it doesn’t compare the sound of a V12 bearing down on 7500 RPM. Thats just me.
  And I also dislike the way companies are just jumping on the eco-bandwagon because it’s trendy, not because they genuinely care. Granted, it’s a good thing to save gas and keep the atmosphere clean because we’re going to live here for a while.
  
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41. aesir308 days ago
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  Having driven both the E46 and the E92 BMW M3s I can tell you that the E92 hands down is more fun to drive than the E46. Additionally the E92′s engine weighs less than the E46. So any comment that the BMW M3 should have stayed with an I6 is just dumb. I know they’re going back to an I6, but meh. That V8 is sooo sexy. I can’t believe how much crap BMW got for that V8…
  
  As far as people saying you can’t comment about a V10 unless you have one… Let’s see the list of V10 cars: Gallardo, Carrera GT, R8, Viper, RS6, S8, M5, M6…. that’s a pretty short list of some pretty expensive toys.
  
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42. nickkop308 days ago
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  @Snoogah the M3 has lots of racing tech including Individual throttle bodies for each cylinder head, and Double VANOS, among other things, but it is NOT turbocharged… or do you mean the X5M, X5M, and NEXT M5 ?
  
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43. Elvacano308 days ago
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  Idrin, of course I like to read others’ comments, what I meant is we dont have to agree in order for me to post my own.
  
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44. nickkop308 days ago
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  X5M, X6M ** and next M5 ?
  
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45. TornadoGTI308 days ago
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  @ aesir – Don’t forget the “regular” S6. That has the same V10 as the S8 does.
  
  This sounds like a good move to me. Not only will a Turbo or Twin Turbo V8 be more efficient and likely more powerful, it will provide the much needed seperation from Audi and Lambo. Don’t get me wrong. I always thought it was cool to have a Lambo sourced V10 in an $80,000 S6. I just think that Lambo charging $100,000 more than that for a car with 3 less seats, two less doors, and same everything else, was silly for Lambo to jusity. An S6 is as nice or nicer amentity wise, used a similar AWD drivetrain with a nearly identical powertrain set-up. The only major mechanical difference in the drivetrain and the powertrain was the transmision. The S6 had a conventional, torque converting auto, whereas the Lambo has an automated mauanl set-up (similar to my GTI…hahah j/k…sort-of)
  
  I think that they could make some big numbers with this set-up. I do however question the turbo choice over a supercharger choice since they have already made very desireable in the 3.0 set-up. I am a larger fan of turbos that I am of superchargers but an forced induction is fine by me.
  
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46. snoogah308 days ago
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  nickop, my bad ur right i honestly dont know why i thought it had a turbo in it, although if they decided to put one in with the high revving then that would be awesome. Regardless i love the m3 engine.
  
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47. idrinorbarsaku308 days ago
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  Elvacano,
  cool, cool, I’m down with that
  
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