Audi may bring its rear-wheel drive R8 to the US as a 2021 model

The rear-wheel drive Audi R8 went from a restricted version to a everlasting fixture in the lineup, however it’s not presently offered in the United States. That may be about to change.

EPA fuel-economy listings present the rear-wheel drive Audi R8 as a 2021 model. Listings for “2WD” variations of the 2021 R8 coupe and Spyder seem on-line alongside the all-wheel drive fashions. An EPA itemizing does not essentially imply a model will come nevertheless it’s a fairly good indicator.

We reached out to Audi for remark, and a spokesman declined to make a assertion.

In case you have been questioning, the EPA listings present barely higher fuel mileage for the rear-wheel drive variants. The rear-wheel drive fashions are each listed at 17 mpg mixed (14 mpg metropolis, 23 mpg freeway), in contrast to 16 mpg mixed (13 mpg metropolis, 20 mpg freeway) for the all-wheel drive fashions.

Note that that is the solely indication thus far that the rear-wheel drive R8 can be offered in the United States. Audi hasn’t made any bulletins about the model.

In different markets, rear-wheel drive R8 retains the all-wheel drive model’s 5.2-liter V-10 and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, however the engine has a barely decrease output. It’s tuned to produce 532 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque, in contrast to 562 hp and 406 lb-ft for the base all-wheel drive R8.

In associated information, Audi filed a trademark software for the title “R8 Green Hell” in Europe earlier this yr. Referencing the Nürburgring’s well-known nickname, the submitting hints at plans for a attainable hardcore R8 variant. However, Audi hasn’t commented on that risk, or if it even plans to use the title. Automakers generally trademark names with out a particular model in thoughts for them, as a method to safe names for attainable future use.

A possible Green Hell model may serve as the swan music for the current-generation R8. Reports have indicated that Audi may exchange the R8 with an electrical automobile, or not less than a automobile with some type of electrification.