VW America’s CEO recently threw a bit of cold water on recent rumors that the next-generation Audi R8 was due to arrive by 2027.
The Audi R8 debuted back in the 2007 model year after the stunning concept wowed crowds, and it quickly became a favorite among enthusiasts thanks to its futuristic looks and strong performance. Sadly for them, R8 was just discontinued after production ended in the first quarter of 2024, though rumors of its revival have swirled for some time now. Originally, many believed that the next-generation Audi R8 would be an EV, then perhaps a PHEV, but now, it doesn’t look like either is likely to happen at all – or at least, anytime soon.
“It’s a product portfolio discussion – what’s viable in the market,” Kjell Gruner, Volkswagen Group of America CEO told reporters at the New York Auto Show when asked about the possibility of a next-generation Audi R8, according to Motor1. “A mid-engine, internal combustion engine vehicle, I don’t see that on the road map.”
Gruner’s revelation is an unfortunate one for certain, and also comes as a bit of a surprise as most simply assumed that a next-generation Audi R8 was seemingly a lock to happen. Of course, his comments don’t rule out something like an all-electric version, nor a model that gives the R8 a shift regarding engine layout, but it seems unlikely that we’ll be treated to a proper replacement for the previous model, at the very least.
It was just a few weeks ago when rumors suggested that the next-generation Audi R8 was indeed in development and slated to return in 2027 as that brand’s version of the Lamborghini Temerario, sharing its chassis, electronics, key structural parts, and powertrain. That would consist of the Lambo’s twin turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, which generates 778 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque on its own accord, or 907 horsepower when paired with three electric motors.
Those rumors also suggested that an R8 Performance variant would follow, churning out more than 1,000 horsepower and presenting buyers with a sports car capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in well under 3.0 seconds and reaching a top speed of 210 mph. Sadly, it doesn’t seem as if those rumors will likely come true – at least, not anytime soon, if ever.
Photos: Audi
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