Supercar Fans Can Rejoice As The Audi R8 Is Not Going Away After All. However, It Will Be Different

March 2024 marked a grim chapter in Audi's production. The Audi R8 was discontinued after 45,949 units being produced, making it one of the most successful supercars. For a long time, there were rumors that the R8 successor will be a fully-electric supercar, but the latest developments dismiss that. EV demand has declined and even brands like Porsche and Mercedes have backtracked on their electrification strategy.  

Head of Audi Sport technical development, Oliver Hoffman, confirmed that there will, not only be a next-generation Audi R8, but it will also be assembled in the “the new generation will be assembled at the Audi Sport plant in Bolinger Hoffe.”, where the Audi E-Tron GT is also assembled.

With Audi also backtracking on mass electrification, the most obvious clue of what Audi's new mid-engine supercar will be comes from an already-existing model. 

Lamborghini's smaller mid-engine model and the Audi R8 have a near-decade old history of sharing the same platform and powertrain. With the latest developments in the automotive industry, it seems this will continue to be the case. Production of the Lamborghini Temerario will commence sometime in 2025, with the next-generation Audi R8 expected to arrive sometime between 2026 and 2027. 

When I first heard the Lamborghini Huracan successor will feature a V-8 hybrid powertrain, I was worried it would be the “vanilla” version VAG puts in everything from the RS7 to the Bentley Bentayga, to the Lamborghini Urus. That's not the case since this new V-8, while sharing the 4.0-liter twin-turbo layout, can rev to 10,000 RPM thanks to a flat-plane crankshaft.

Also contributing to the engine's high-rev character are the titanium connecting rods and short stroke – 78.5 mm (3.09 inches) while the bore of the new V-8 engine is 90 mm (3.54 inches). The engine also features a “hot V”, meaning the turbochargers are located inside the “valley” created by the two cylinder heads. Lamborghini 

This exotic powertrain will trickle down to the next-generation Audi R8, along with the three electric motors (two in the front axle and one between the eight-speed DCT and the engine, and the 3.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery. Like the Temerario, the R8 will be able to drive only on electricity, but only for about six miles. 

What this means in numbers 

The next-generation Audi R8 will develop 907 horsepower. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, alone, will make 789 horsepower at 9,000-9,750 RPM and 538 pound-feet at 4,000-7,000 RPM. Each of the two front-mounted axial-flow electric motors are oil-cooled. They make 148 horsepower (110 kilowatts) each with a continuous output of 80.4 horsepower (60 kilowatts) when all-wheel drive is required. The third electric motor also packs 148 horsepower and 221 pound-feet. Combined torque can reach 1,585 pound-feet. 

In the Temerario, this combination is good for a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph, so we can expect a similarly-equipped Auri R8 to be in the same neighborhood, unless Audi decides to "nerf" its version of the hybrid supercar.

I think such a small electric range defeats the purpose of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but this is more so to appease all the tedious emissions regulations the European union throws at car manufacturers. 

Naturally, the Audi R8 will share the Lamborghini Temerario's aluminum chassis, which is 25 percent stiffer compared to the previous generation. 

The R8 will likely, continue to be the more budget-friendly, more practical supercar 

While Lamborghini's “entry-level" supercar was the most successful model until the Urus came around, the Audi R8 was a more budget-friendly (but by no means cheap), more usable supercar. Cars like the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS proved that hybrids can make even iconic models better, so people might be willing to swallow the lack of a V-8 a lot easier with all the extra performance on tap.

We are still far from an official debut, but we will report on new details as they emerge. Are you excited about the next-generation Audi R8? I wish the V-10 would have stuck around for longer, but this new V-8 seems to be every bit as exciting as the outgoing powertrain. Another thing I am worried about is unethical dealership practices, like what some Porsche 911 GTS customers have experienced. Let me know what you think in the comment section below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: Audi R8, Lamborghini Temerario