With the current R8 nearly halfway into its product life cycle, officials inside Audi are already discussing the new generation's powertrain.

With electrification a large possibility, will we see the demise of its natural-aspirated V10 engine?

Not so according a report by Autocar, which claimed that there are many in Audi that want to see it live on.

The V10 is an icon, and a USP within the segment”, said Audi Sport’s managing director Oliver Hoffman. “With the current R8, our customers love this car. We are fighting for the V10, but [for the next-gen] it’s more or less a question of ICE or electrification, and which kind of engine is useful for it.”

It also helps that Lamborghini is thought to remain committed to offering a V10 in the successor of the Huracan, which in turn a sister car to the R8.

Hoffman added, “Lamborghini has to have a naturally aspirated engine, no other brand stands for NA like Lamborghini. We are working very close with the guys from Sant’Agata. The only way to develop such kinds of cars is to share the cost for development work and to have a very, very tough platform strategy.”