V6-powered Audi R8 firms

If the entry-level price-tag of the V10-powered Audi R8 super car, at $354,900, seems a little steep, relief could just over the horizon after a leaked product planning map revealed a V6-powered variant could be on the cards.

Although the legitimacy of the leaked document, via German blog Autobahn.eu, is yet to be ascertained – Audi Australia was contacted for comment and declined to comment – the timing of the new models seems plausible, with the launch of the all-new Audi A5 and S5 Coupe pegged at March 2017 followed shortly after by the next Audi Q5.

It's understood that the new-generation Audi Q5 SUV will be revealed later this year - possibly at the Paris motor show - but its market launch is likely to be 2017.

The new A5 and Q5 models will all be based on the same (MLB Evo) platform as the new A4 and Q7, but it's the confirmation of a cut-price, six-cylinder R8 that's really getting tongues wagging.

As we reported in August 2015, Audi customers may not yet be ready for a five- or six-cylinder R8 the concept has legs, particularly as the previous entry-level V8-powered R8 has been discontinued.

That previous 4.2-litre V8-powered Audi R8 was priced at around $280,000 but a V6-powered model could be even more affordable, possibly dipping to as low as a quarter of a million dollars.

As Audi Australia's Managing Director, Andrew Doyle, told motoring.com.au in 2015, a more affordable R8 with a smaller engine hasn't been ruled out.

"I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question," he stated but went on to say: "I can’t confirm any future product for R8, but that car is a halo car for us."

The leaked product planning map puts the V6-powered R8 at 2018 and would be an ideal vehicle to debut an all-new forced-induction six-cylinder engine.

It's unclear what sort of power output Audi would want from a six-cylinder R8, but it would have to develop at least 300kW – an achievable figure if electric turbochargers are a factor.