Third Generation Audi R8 Apparently Not Happening, Says VW Group of America’s CEO

We recently spoke of the possible return of Audi’s iconic supercar, but it seems these ambitions may have been short lived. News from Motor1 and the New York Auto Show reports that VW Group of America’s freshly minted boss, Kjell Gruner, just made it official that there is no R8 encore planned.

Speaking candidly at the New York Auto Show, Gruner hinted that Audi’s market landscape no longer supports a mid-engined supercar, stating, “[It’s a] product portfolio discussion—what’s viable in the market. A mid-engine, internal combustion engine vehicle, I don’t see that on the road map.”

Since its dramatic entrance in 2007, the R8 carved out a legacy that blended motorsport pedigree with everyday usability. Now, with production wrapped since 2023, Audi seems poised to channel its efforts into electrified and hybrid performance models rather than the return of their halo car.

At least the R8 went out on a high note with the exceptional and limited production R8 GT model. Looks like it is in fact the end of the R8 chapter, for now at least.