Report: Audi R8 Replacement Will be All-Electric
The future of the Four Rings is electric, and sources inside Ingolstadt say the next Audi R8 will be mean and green.
Starting in 2026, every new Audi will be electric, and by 2030, the company plans to be done with internal combustion entirely. Fortunately, models like the e-tron GT, the gorgeous Sphere concepts, and the Dakar-ready RS Q e-tron have shown that while the future will be green, it sure as hell won’t be boring. But we haven’t heard much chatter about what’s in store for Ingolstadt’s current range-topping performance machine. Now, Autocar is reporting that the replacement for the Audi R8 will be all-electric.
As you might expect, details are slim, and according to the source, plans for the electric supercar haven’t officially gotten the green light just yet. That said, there’s still plenty of interesting information in the report, including the revelation that Audi’s next halo car it won’t be called the R8. It’s also likely to take design cues from the PB18 e-tron concept — pictured here — instead of the current car, retain a two-door, two seat layout, and pack more power than anything else in the lineup. So at the end of the day, who cares what Audi calls it?
Exactly which platform the electric supercar will use is a big question. The smart money says it’ll be shared with corporate cousin Porsche, similar to the arrangement with the Taycan and the e-tron GT. Because since Stuttgart is already deep into the development of electric versions of its 718 Boxster and Cayman, that would be a cost-efficient way for Audi to get into the game. The rub, of course, is that while any R8 replacement would have to be faster than the already wicked quick e-tron GT, internal politics ensure it’ll have to be slower than the comparable Porsche.
Regardless, you don’t need a crystal ball to predict that Audi is going to release a performance coupe. Driving thrills are a key part of the company’s DNA, and its entrance into Formula 1 is sure to stoke excitement for enthusiast cars. The big question, of course, is when we’ll actually see cars start coming off the line — and that’s all guesswork. At the moment, Audi is years behind schedule for its EV flagship, and that model is sure to take priority over any sports car, regardless of how exciting it may be. More news on the Audi R8 replacement when we have it.
Photos: Audi
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