New Audi R8 Coming in 2027 with Lamborghini V8 Hybrid Powertrain
The Audi R8 is poised for a triumphant return to the supercar scene, according to reports. Set to launch internationally in 2027, the third-generation R8 will feature an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain borrowed from Lamborghini, marking a new chapter for the iconic model after production of the previous generation ends in 2024.
Development of this Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT competitor has already progressed beyond the initial feasibility stage and carries the full support of Audi AG chairman Gernot Dollner. Production is expected to take place at Audi's Bollinger Hofe facility in Germany, the same location where previous R8 models were manufactured.
For the new R8, Audi will reportedly adopt the formidable 920hp 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain from the Lamborghini Temerario. This advanced system features an 800hp V8 engine complemented by three axial-flux electric motors and a 3.8kWh rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
While the electric-only range is limited to approximately 9.65km, the combined powertrain delivers explosive performance, with a 0-100kph acceleration time of just 2.7 seconds.
The hybrid architecture incorporates two electric motors on the front axle to enable all-wheel drive (AWD), a signature feature of high-performance Audi models. A third electric motor positioned between the V8 engine and the dual-clutch transmission serves as both a starter generator and an energy recovery system during braking.
Reports suggest that more powerful variants of the Lamborghini Temerario making over 1,000hp may launch in 2027, technology that could eventually find its way into an Audi R8 Performance model. This extreme version would become the most powerful and fastest road-going Audi ever produced, surpassing the current title holder, the Audi e-tron GT RS.
The original R8, which debuted in 2006, was celebrated for its naturally aspirated engines—initially a V8 and later a V10—both known for their high-revving character. The Lamborghini-derived flat-plane crank V8 should maintain this tradition, developing peak power between 9,000rpm and 9,750rpm with a 10,000rpm redline, promising an exhilarating soundtrack reminiscent of previous R8 generations.
Following the pattern of its predecessors, which shared platforms with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracan, the next-generation Audi R8 will utilize the Temerario's chassis architecture. The aluminum spaceframe of the Temerario boasts 25 percent greater torsional stiffness compared to previous Lamborghini models, despite using half as many structural components—suggesting the new R8 will offer exceptional handling dynamics and structural integrity.
This revival of the R8 represents Audi's commitment to maintaining a presence in the high-performance supercar segment while embracing hybridization as a stepping stone toward an electrified future.
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