Audi hasn't confirmed the return of the R8, but the door isn't shut either. Brand boss Gernot Döllner hinted that a supercar using Lamborghini technology would be a logical choice for a new flagship.
The conversation stems from discussions about Audi's sports car future. The company is navigating a tough period with declining sales and profitability pressures, but interest in emotional models remains strong. Against this backdrop, the idea of a new R8 isn't just nostalgia—it's an attempt to re-establish a strong image anchor for the brand.
Döllner openly admitted his fondness for V8s. Audi currently uses a V8 in the RS 6 Avant and SQ7, and it could eventually power the large Q9. However, for a supercar, one engine stands out: the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the Lamborghini Temerario, featuring a flat-plane crank and a 10,250-rpm redline. It produces 789 hp and 729 Nm on its own, and with three electric motors, the Temerario's hybrid system delivers 907 hp.
That powertrain could replace the previous naturally aspirated V10 that made the R8 special. The sound and character will differ, but the hybrid setup offers instant torque and enough power for a new Audi flagship. The key question is how Audi will differentiate it from the Lamborghini so the R8 isn't just a tamer copy of the Temerario.
Audi already has experience adapting platforms within the Volkswagen Group. Döllner pointed to the future C Sport, which might use Porsche's electric architecture but remain true to Audi's character. He called the idea of a new supercar based on Lamborghini technology a good one.
If the project gets the go-ahead, the new R8 will almost certainly be a plug-in hybrid. For fans, it won't be a return to the old formula but a chance for something different: less pure V10 romanticism, but more power, technology, and a better chance of surviving strict regulations.