The Audi R8 continues to enjoy cult status even years after its demise. It was sacrificed for an all-electric future, but we all know how that has fared so far. Some hints recently surfaced about a revival of the sports car via the company’s CEO.

According to a report from The Drive, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner’s comments came shortly before the launch of the RS5 sedan. While responding to a question about the possibility of a new R8, Döllner dove into the specifics of the V8 engine from the Temerario and also cited the example of the C Sport concept in terms of leveraging platforms and technologies within the VW Group.

“It’s a great V8 engine in the Temerario. 10,000 revs, really outstanding engine. We have these opportunities at Volkswagen Group to come up from the different technical solutions and combine them.

The C Sport is an example that we build a car with character based on a Porsche platform. And the result is a clear Audi, and that’s our approach to have our customers in mind and come up with the right solutions.”

Döllner ended the exchange by laughing and calling it a “good idea,” which further fueled speculation about the car’s return.

This heavily implies that the Ingolstadt folks are secretly up to something, and it is an idea we dove into previously as well: take the twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain from the Temerario and work on a design that retains the character of the original R8.

While Audi’s CEO is not saying no, we feel a next-gen R8 might still be on the back burner, as the company is finalizing its new flagship while also returning to the entry-level segment.

The Audi Q9 and A2 e-tron Are Coming Later This Year

The carmaker with the four rings is bringing out its new flagship, the Q9 SUV, this summer, while the A2 e-tron will make its debut in the fall of 2026.

Audi recently revealed the interiors of the Q9, with all rows of seating receiving some level of electronic adjustability. Additionally, in the seven-seater version, any area on the second-row bench can be fitted with child seats, and the third-row seats can also get powered controls for folding down.

Meanwhile, the A2 e-tron has been spotted testing many times now. Its name and silhouette are a direct reference to the original A2 hatchback that was on sale many years ago. Much like the original, the A2 e-tron will also focus on offering better range efficiency.

After this, Audi might also start working on a production version of the C Sport Concept, which will borrow its platform from the electric Porsche 718s, which will make their debut earlier than the Audi.

Read more at Motor Culture! 

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav