Your Favorite Audi Is About To Come Back
Audi is reportedly planning a comeback for the R8, with the plug-in hybrid supercar expected to debut by late 2027, pairing Lamborghini's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with three electric motors—technology borrowed from the new Temerario.
Key Points
- Audi has approved a next-generation R8, set to debut by late 2027 with a twin-turbocharged V8 and three electric motors
- Potential for 1,000+ horsepower
- Audi has shifted its strategy to invest further in combustion engines, making the R8 one of its last gas-powered performance models
Unlike the original R8, which launched alongside the Gallardo and later the Huracán, the next-generation model will arrive a couple of years after its Lamborghini sibling. According to the report from Autocar, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has already approved the project.
Power will come from Lamborghini’s new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, paired with three electric motors for a combined 907 horsepower. A future R8 Performance variant could push close to 1,000 hp, giving it a 0-62 mph time well under 3.0 seconds and a top speed near 210 mph—and even then, it will still lose the bench race to the more affordable C8 Corvette ZR1.
Production is expected to take place at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe facility in Germany, the same site where the previous R8s were built.
The Temerario uses two motors mounted on the front axle to create a four-wheel-drive setup, with the third motor placed between the V8 and the gearbox to function as a motor-generator unit.
Audi’s decision to revive the R8 aligns with its newly revised stance on electrification. While the automaker previously planned to go fully electric by 2033, CEO Gernot Döllner has since indicated a need for flexibility due to slower-than-expected EV adoption.
Despite selling just 44,418 units between 2007 and 2024, the R8 played a crucial role as a halo car for Audi, elevating the brand’s image and drawing customers into showrooms. As Audi moves upmarket with a focus on premium, high-margin vehicles, reviving the R8 could fit perfectly within its long-term strategy.
Audi is also expected to develop an FIA-homologated racing version of the R8 to continue competing in endurance events like the NĂĽrburgring 24 and the Bathurst 12 Hour.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
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