Why didn't Audi name it R10?

[HovyR8]

I know there is a history behind it but why didn't Audi call the R8 V10 simply R10 and in the same logic, call the potential upcoming R8 V12 TDI, R12?

In my head, the model designation is "R" and the following number should have designated the number of cylinders?

I believe it would make more sense.

But there again, Audi would have had to call the new S8, S10 and the S6, S10

[willyjp]

I know there is a history behind it but why didn't Audi call the R8 V10 simply R10 and in the same logic, call the potential upcoming R8 V12 TDI, R12?

In my head, the model designation is "R" and the following number should have designated the number of cylinders?

I believe it would make more sense.

But there again, Audi would have had to call the new S8, S10 and the S6, S10

this has been brought up before, and one convincing answer I recall someone giving was that:

the original "R8" was a prededent breaking and historic race car for Audi that broke entirely new ground as a repeat LeMans champion, an area where Audi, and it's Auto Union predecessors had never competed before. The road going R8 is an entirely different car but one "inspired by", and celebrating Audi's LeMans success with the racing R8. The v10 R8 is related to that by being the same model with a bigger engine, but it is not at all related to the racing R10, which was ground breaking in a different way be being the first DIESEL powered LeMans champion.

I would be inclined to bet that, if Audi ever does bring out a diesel powered sportscar, IT will be the "R10". The R15, of course, doesn't have much of a pedigree yet--nor does it have 15 cylinders!!

[HovyR8]

Thanks for the clarification. It all makes sense now. R8 vs R10.