Porsche may be forced to use the underpinnings of the next-generation Audi R8 for its all-new Ferrari 458 supercar rival, despite being Volkswagen Group’s designated maker of platforms for future sports cars.

Already at an advanced stage of development, the all-new part-carbonfiber architecture was previewed on the Audi R8 E-tron concept at the recent Frankfurt motor show.

In August, Porsche boss Matthias Muller outlined plans for a new supercar to slot between the Porsche 911 and Porsche 918 Spyder. However, in spite of the firm’s desire to develop bespoke underpinnings for its Ferrari 458 rival, the company may be forced to make use of the R8’s foundations because VW considers the next R8 platform a suitable architecture for the Porsche and would save on development costs.

It is possible that  because Porsche wants to make a bespoke framework, the firm could delay its new supercar to coincide with the third generation of R8 and Gallardo in the early 2020s, using Porsche-developed underpinnings.

The second-generation R8 is set to use the Audi-Bentley co-developed twin-turbo V8 that has been recently launched in the S8.

The current R8 will receive a facelift for the Geneva motor show in March, including cosmetic upgrades and an increase in power of the base 4.2-liter V8 to 450bhp and the 5.2 V10 to 5520bhp.

Below is Autocar’s rendering of what the new Porsche could look like with the Audi R8’s underpinnings.

Source: Autocar