Autocar Magazine’s Feb 26, 2025 Issue is reporting a replacement for the Audi R8 could be back on again and penciled in for a 2027 launch. According to the Autocar Magazine piece, the car would be a plug-in hybrid utilizing hardware from its Lamborghini subsidiary. The decision allegedly comes following a rethink of the brand’s push these last few years to transition to a full-EV lineup. If true, the new sportscar could be the brand’s fastest road car to date… faster even than the RS e-tron GT performance
2027 Sounds Fast to Create a New Sportscar. How is that possible?
According to the story, the project has already passed the feasibility stage, with the idea to align the project with the Lamborghini Temarario. Sound familiar? The first R8 (type 42, a.k.a. R8 Mk1) and Gallardo shared architecture and other hardware like drivetrains, a partnership that continued into the MSS modular sportscar Matrix of the Michael Dick era that would spawn the second-generation R8 (type 4S, a.k.a. R8 Mk2) and Lamborghini Huracán.
Sidenote: Who was Michael Dick?
He was Audi’s former board member in charge of development until 2012 when Martin Winterkorn replaced him with Wolfgang Durheimer. Michael Dick was a car enthusiast, known for his R8 with Gulf Livery and matching first-generation A5 Sportback that could be seen around Ingolstadt. He was also a driving force behind the advent of the MSS sportscar matrix that would underpin the R8 Mk2 and the Huracán, though the matrix would be sidelined when Porsche fully joined the group and pursued its own sportscar route with derivatives of the MSB component set.
Obviously, any era of Audi sportscar was always going to pull from some somewhere in the vast component sets of the Volkswagen Group portfolio. For Audi, choosing to pull from the Temerario is an optimum choice for a number of reasons. First and foremost is timing, with the Temerario already shown and about to enter the marketplace. Secondly, and perhaps a point of pride in the long-running tradition of competition between Audi and Porsche, the Temerario was developed by Audi-owned Lamborghini and uses a Lamborghini (and thus Audi) developed drivetrain and chassis. There’s no Porsche-derived engine as seen in the brand’s twin-turbocharged RS sedans and Avants, and there’s no Porsche-developed architecture underpinning it as with the RS e-tron GT.
Arguably, the Temerario is more of an Audi by these measures. So too is the chassis, using an aluminum space frame – technology Audi for which Audi is a pioneer. Also notable, even Porsche’s venerable 911 against which the R8 was an upstart competitor still uses a steel chassis.
Okay, So What Can We Expect Under the Skin?
As with the previous two generations, Autocar (and logic) say that this R8 successor is expected to utilize the drivetrain, core structure, electronics and chassis already developed for Lamborghini. And, like the previous R8s, substantive differentiation between the two brand offerings will be focused on livability. In the past, that’s meant a longer wheelbase, taller greenhouse, increased storage space and less aggressive driving experience felt in places like suspension, throttle, steering, etc. Coupé and Spyder variants are expected.
As mentioned, the chassis used here is an aluminum space frame, tech Audi first showed in the C3-generation 100 though really put on the map with the 1991 Avus quattro concept car. The first Audi with aluminum space frame (ASF) was the D2 A8.
Worth noting though, the space frame concept of the Temerario has been drastically improved, using 50% fewer components and 80% fewer welds than the Huracán (and R8 Mk2) it replaced, while adding a 25% increase in rigidity over the previous space frame.
Powering the car will be the Lamborghini-developed 4.0-liter v8 twin-turbo with flat-plane crank design. In the Temerario, this means power figures of 789 hp between 9000 and 9750 rpm and torque of 538 pound-feet between 4000 and 7000 rpm. Paired with a hybrid system sporting three axial-flux electric motors, combined power is 907 hp and 590 pound-feet.
Why three electric motors? In the Temerario, one motor is positioned at each front wheel in order to create all-wheel drive. The third motor links the V8 engine with an eight-speed dual clutch DSG transmission to act as both starter generator and to recapture energy under braking.
Think of it like Audi’s Dakar-winning RS Q e-tron that used three Formula E derived motors. In that application, one motor was on each axle and the third used to capture energy from braking and the paired DTM-derived 2-liter turbocharged race engine was only used as a range extender. In this case, the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 does power the wheels. However, that’s much more desirable for a roadgoing sportscar application.
The lithium-ion battery used in the hybrid system is rated at 3.8 kWh, capable only of about six miles of pure electric range. That’s not a lot, but we’d argue this short range is enough because batteries mean additional undesirable weight.
Design and Branding
The R8 has always been a design statement for the brand, and there’s no reason to believe that will change here. The obvious choice might be to point to the 2018 PB18 e-tron concept, but AutoCar suggests that’d be a mistake and I agree. Since 2018, Audi has had a change in leadership within the design department. Marc Lichte who led the team and presented the PB18 is now gone, replaced by Massimo Frascella whose new role as Chief Creative Officer of the Audi brand has yet to be truly explored. No doubt Frascella will bring his own vision to Audi’s design evolution. Should you follow him on his Instagram account, you’ll see he appears to favor more clean and simpler design than we’ve seen from Audi in recent years. I’m hearing things out of Audi design that suggest Frascella’s influence is genuinely reigniting passion in the brand. These changes tend to take years until we see them on the road, and if this rumor proves true then expect good things to come as soon as 2027 at least.
Will the car use the R8 name? I’m hoping so, and the Autocar story only refers to it as “R8”, though it doesn’t speak specifically to the naming. There’ve been conflicting lines on this in the past, so I suppose this one is still TBD.
Another note in the Autocar story was a brief mention that Audi is mulling using the name e-tron. I’d argue no. For starters, the current lineup shows e-tron as battery electric vehicles (BEV) only while plug-in hybrids (PHEV) use the designation “E”. I’d say use E or, better yet, use neither. BEVs are a contentious subject amongst traditionalists and a very vocal part of the political spectrum. It’s pretty basic marketing principle not to emphasize undesirable qualities. Skip the electric references.
What to Expect in 2027
Beyond the decision to pair with Lamborghini being obvious, it’s been known for a while that Audi has been evaluating this project for quite some time. And while the advantage here is a relatively fast turnaround time having it in market in just two years, it’s a shame they couldn’t have made the decision sooner. Having this car launch during the brand’s inaugural year in Formula 1 would have made for great bragging rights. Then again, 2027 gives Sauber a year to get their new Audi-derived racecar into a more dominant position on the F1 grid.
Given the Temerario launched last year, it’s reasonable to expect that by 2027 Lamborghini will be releasing more powerful evolution models of the car. These typically also result in more powerful R8s like the R8 performance and R8 GT. And, while I think it might be even cooler if Audi went less powerful and dropped the hybrid system for a more purist R8 model, I’m guessing that would be more costly to develop and thus unlikely.
On the Source of this Rumor Story
I want to call out the source (in a good way) for this story. Again, it came from Autocar, and it was penned by Greg Kable. Passing along wishful rumors for wishful reasons can be an exercise in frustration, though when it comes to certain sources like Kable, I give them much more credence.
Greg Kable is a veteran of the automotive journalism industry and a fixture in Autocar for years. He’s part of an elite and small group who speak regularly to and have the ear of board members at brands such as Audi. What this means is that I don’t personally question his accuracy. Does that mean he is never wrong? No, but what it does mean is that typically when he’s wrong it’s because those board members and company leaders changed their mind and went in a different direction versus the intel simply being incorrect.
In as much, I take this rumor very seriously and I couldn’t be happier to see Audi focusing on niche passion products.
In Summary
Why fix what isn’t broken? Looking at the brilliant Temerario funded by Audi given their ownership of Lamborghini, one feels the need to quote Ferris Bueller. “If you had access to a car like this, would you (only build a Lamborghini)? Neither would I.”
PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTO DETAILS & CREDIT
Header: R8 Mk3 Rendering created by @4Rings.AI
Image #2: Portrait of Michael Dick by Audi AG
Image #3: Lamborghini Temerario by Automobili Lamborghini
Image #4: R8 Mk3 Rendering created by @4Rings.AI
Image #5: Lamborghini Temerario Aluminum Space Frame by Automobili Lamborghini
Image #6: Lamborghini Temerario V8 Twin Turbo Engine by Automobili Lamborghini
Image #7: Audi PB18 concept by Audi AG
Image #8: R8 Mk3 Rendering created by @4Rings.AI
Image #9: R8 Mk3 Rendering created by @4Rings.AI
Image #10: R8 Mk3 Rendering created by @4Rings.AI
Additional Gallery Images: R8 Mk3 Renderings by @4Rings.AI