You may have thought the retirement of Audi’s R8 in late 2021 marked the end of the German brand’s latest supercar era. But if reports out of the UK overnight are accurate, the mid-engine machine is set to make a spectacular comeback, with a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain replacing the previous version’s howling atmo V10.
As per its two previous iterations the mooted next-generation R8 will lean on Audi’s Lamborghini connection for its basic framework, with the Lamborghini Temerario the development inspiration this time around.
Lamborghini is owned by the Volkswagen Group under the control of Audi and according to Autocar, the new R8 will be propelled by a version of the dramatic Lambo’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, supported by three electric motors for overall outputs of no less than 676kW and 800Nm (the flat-plane crank V8 alone producing 588kW/730Nm).
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According to the report, well-placed sources within Audi have confirmed the program “has progressed beyond the feasibility stage” and “engineering is under way with the backing of Audi chairman Gernot Döllner”.
Already the Temerario is claimed to sprint from 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds as it storms to a maximum velocity of 340 km/h. And with more powerful variants of the Italian supercar almost inevitable it’s likely subsequent R8 Performance models could push peak power towards 750kW, in the process setting a new benchmark as Audi’s most powerful and fastest-ever production model.
Offering naturally aspirated V8 and V10 engines in its first Gallardo-based version, and V10-only second-gen, Huracan-based guise the upcoming third-gen R8 is set to shift to turbocharged induction and parallel electric power.
Two of the Temerario’s electric motors are mounted on the front axle for all-wheel drive, with a third sitting between the engine and dual-clutch transmission to boost response at low engine speeds, assist as a “torque gap filler” through gearshifts and recover energy under braking.
The Lamborghini’s motors are powered by a 3.8kWh lithium ion battery offering up to 10km of pure-electric driving.
According to Autocar’s sources, tentative launch timing for the new R8 is late 2027, with coupé and Spyder body styles in scope and production slated for Audi’s Böllinger Höfe plant in southern Germany, where all previous R8s were built.
