Audi Is Weighing the Business Case for a Next-Gen R8

[Source: GoAuto]

OK, let’s not get too excited and too far ahead of ourselves. This is not a formal announcement that Audi is bringing back the beloved R8. However, they are at least open to the idea as long as they can make a business case for it. Audi Sport managing director Rolf Michl recently spoke with GoAuto, and he told them they won’t build an R8 just to build up the brand, but the door is open for an R8 return if they believe it will generate enough profit.

Maybe this is the chance for enthusiasts with the means to purchase an R8 successor to let Audi know about it. “In really challenging times and we’ve talked about regulations, and very cost-intensive developments, every car has to be a business case. It wouldn’t make sense just to calculate, let me say, a brand-levering effect … you really have to see that intense spending has a valid chance to realize the specific earnings,” Michl told GoAuto.

Lamborghini Connection

Michl also confirmed that if a new Audi R8 was to happen, that it would be based on the Lamborghini Temerario. That means we would be looking at a plug-in hybrid model with a V8 engine and electric motors. We tested the Temerario back in February and we can tell you for certain that you would not be disappointed with an R8 based on that car. Even if the Audi wouldn’t make the same combined 907 horsepower. Revving that engine to its 10,000 rpm redline is a sublime experience.

“I can also see the market development … I think with a hybrid car, you still have the sound, which you can see with the Temerario, but you still have the electrical part, and the benefits from it,” Michl said. He went on to say that he doesn’t see a non-hybrid R8 as a possibility. OK, fine, we can live with that.

It Won’t Be Next Year

With the R8 and the TT models gone, Audi lost some key enthusiast vehicles from their lineup. The Concept C is coming, and it promises to be exciting, but will an EV be able to plug (no pun intended) the gap in the lineup? That remains to be seen.

While there is a sliver of hope for a new Audi R8, don’t expect it to be here tomorrow. There are rumors that it could arrive as soon as 2027, but Michl shut that down as speculation. Hey, if we have to wait until 2028 that’s OK, but please Audi, give us the R8 back.