The renaissance of the R8 in 2027 is poised to align with the introduction of more potent Temerario variants. This could mean a potential successor to the R8 Performance might push the supercar’s top-tier power output towards the 1000bhp mark. This enhanced power will aim for a 0-62mph acceleration time well under 3.0 seconds and a top speed nearing the Temerario’s 210mph threshold- positioning it as possibly Audi’s most powerful and fastest road-legal vehicle to date.
This new powertrain signals a notable departure in strategy for the R8, which has traditionally relied on naturally aspirated V8 and V10 engines since its inception in 2006. Nonetheless, Lamborghini’s new V8 powerplant, with its peak power delivery between 9000rpm and 9750rpm and a redline of 10,000rpm, promises a comparable responsiveness and sound to its predecessors.
The incorporation of plug-in hybrid technology will also enable the R8 to showcase Audi’s advancements in electrification, in line with recent initiatives by Mercedes-AMG and Porsche with their GT and 911 models respectively. The moniker R8 E-tron is currently under consideration for this new iteration.
The foundation for this upcoming Audi flagship will be the same aluminum spaceframe architecture utilized in the Temerario. A fresh development, it boasts a 50% reduction in components compared to the previous Huracán and second-gen R8, along with an 80% decrease in welds. Moreover, it is asserted to provide a 25% enhancement in rigidity over the older spaceframe.
Like its forerunners, the R8 will continue to serve as a visual statement for the brand’s design ethos. The PB18 E-tron concept, revealed in 2019, gave a glimpse into Audi’s vision for an all-electric successor to its premier supercar. However, the brand’s design team has undergone significant changes since then, with former Ford, Kia, and JLR designer Massimo Frascella taking over as chief creative officer in 2024.
The decision to revive the R8 reportedly stems from an agreement brokered between the Audi board and its Volkswagen Group parent company on the brand’s transition towards an all-electric lineup. This shift will see an extension in the lifecycle of select internal combustion engine models and an expansion in the range of plug-in hybrids offered by Audi.
