The Audi R8 is making a comeback — and not as the electric supercar many expected.
According to Autocar, Audi has decided to resurrect the iconic R8 with a new generation model powered by a fierce 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, borrowed from the upcoming Lamborghini Temerario.
Set to launch at the end of 2027, the new R8 will feature plug-in hybrid technology, combining the high-revving V8 with three electric motors to deliver an estimated 920 horsepower — making it the most powerful road car Audi has ever produced.
Gasoline, Not Electric
Audi ended production of the original R8 in April 2024, closing the chapter on its beloved V10-powered supercar after nearly two decades and over 44,000 units produced. The plan was to replace it with a fully electric performance model, reflecting the industry’s broader EV ambitions.
But that plan has now been shelved.
With Audi entering Formula 1 in 2026, the company appears to be realigning its performance strategy, opting to develop a high-output hybrid instead of going all-electric.
This pivot isn’t unique to Audi.
Aston Martin, Maserati, and even Rimac — the Croatian company behind Bugatti’s latest hypercars — have all slowed or rethought their EV rollout plans, citing lukewarm interest from wealthy buyers who still crave the sound and feel of internal combustion.
Borrowed Power
The heart of the new R8 will be the same V8 hybrid setup used in the Lamborghini Temerario, which combines an 800-horsepower twin-turbo engine with three electric motors to reach a total system output of 920 horsepower.
In Audi’s version, the V8 will sit in the mid-engine position, while the electric motors will provide power to all four wheels — a configuration that delivers both performance and precision handling.
Two motors will drive the front axle, while a third motor assists the rear wheels alongside the combustion engine.
Built Where It All Began
According to Autocar, the revived Audi R8 will be built at the Böllinger Höfe plant in Germany — the same factory where the previous R8 generations were assembled.
With production set to start in 2027, this next-generation R8 could mark a new era for Audi Sport — not just reviving a nameplate, but also redefining Audi’s identity in a changing performance car market.
