Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan could get twin-charged five-cylinder

Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan could get twin-charged five-cylinderImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew Phillips2015 R8MSRP$115,900ShopReviewsMore Photos2016 Audi R8 e-tron: Geneva 20152016 Audi R8 LMS: Geneva 20152016 Audi R8 LMS2016 Audi R82015 Audi R8 Competition: LA 2014Radical SR8 RSXChris Bruce

Engine downsizing and forced induction are some of the biggest trends in automotive powertrains today because. They offer the chance to reduce emissions and boost fuel economy, while possibly maintaining power. The shift is already happening to performance cars with turbocharged four-cylinders finding their way into the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and future Porsches. Now, there are rumblings of a tiny chance for a similar change coming for the Lamborghini Huracán and Audi R8.

Why the new powertrain? China. While the market there might have slowing growth, it's still a major country for auto sales. The annual taxes on cars there also happen to be based on engine displacement, and there's a 40 percent rate on those over 4.0-liters, according to Car and Driver.

The obvious answer to this conundrum is to build a smaller displacement, forced induction engine for the R8 and Huracán. Car and Driver points to the new turbocharged and electrically supercharged, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder from the recent Audi TT Clubsport Turbo concept as a possible solution. Audi's e-turbo technology runs off a 48-volt electrical system and lithium-ion battery to produce a total of 600 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in the prototype. With this mill, horsepower would barely shrink compared to the R8 V10 Plus and Lambo, but it actually makes more peak torque than their 5.2-liter V10s.

While this is all theoretically feasible, take the possibility with a big grain of salt for now. According to Car and Driver, Quattro GmbH's Stephan Reil says that there's no work currently underway to fit the twin-charged five-cylinder, "but it has been talked about." That means such a vehicle is likely years away, if ever. In the meantime, a diesel version of the e-turbo setup is on the way the in the SQ7.


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Uber could be valued at $50B

Uber could be valued at $50BBrandon Turkus

Uber, the popular and controversial ride-hailing service, could be on its way to being the most valuable private startup on the planet. If a new round of financing goes through, the company's valuation could hit $50 billion.

At that mark, not only would Uber be worth more than its compatriots in Silicon Valley, but it'd be worth more than publicly traded behemoths like Nissan and FedEx, which are valued at $47 billion and $48 billion, respectively.

The New York Times reports that the estimated valuation could be tied to a new round of fundraising that would add $1.5 billion to the company's coffers. Uber has already raised $2.4 billion in two big fundraising pushes during the past year, splitting the money between a December round that saw it valued at $40 billion, up from June's $17-billion valuation.

Where both of those efforts were focused expanding the service into new markets, this latest round would be dedicated to long-term planning and partnerships, a source familiar with the situation told The Times.

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