Audi has been without a true halo car since the second-generation Audi R8 left production back in March 2024. And while the current top-flight RS models certainly bring high levels of performance, they aren’t quite as impactful as that mid-engined supercar was. But during a discussion with journalists ahead of the media’s first taste of the new RS5, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner made it clear that the brand hasn’t entirely put the idea of a third attempt at a halo car out of mind.
Much of the discussion with Dollner was focused on the newly hybridized RS5 model, which packs a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 with a transmission-mounted electric motor for a combined output of 630 horsepower and 609 lb-ft. We journalists can’t help ourselves, so naturally, the topic of V-8 engines quickly came up. Dollner is clearly an enthusiast himself however, as while he spoke highly of the PHEV setup being a good fit for the RS5, he was quick to sing the praises of the larger engine in the brand’s portfolio.
View Price on Amazon“I'm a big fan of V-8,” said Dollner. “Whenever package-wise possible, there's no restriction to an engine like that." When asked if that love of V-8s could potentially spawn a third-generation R8 supercar, perhaps even based on the Lamborghini Temerario, Dollner greeted journalists with a genuine laugh. It wasn’t the type of laugh you give when trying to shut down a line of questioning, either.
“It’s a great V-8 engine in the Temerario,” Dollner told reporters. “10,000 [rpm], twin-turbo—brilliant. An outstanding engine in the Temerario." Interestingly enough, he then immediately segued into the brand's opportunities for collaboration with other brands under the corporate umbrella. "We have these opportunities with Volkswagen Group to come up from the different technical solutions and combine them. I mean, 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.”
While that isn’t an outright confirmation of a third-gen R8, it isn’t the type of answer you tend to get from automotive executives when the group is massively off-base with optimistic assumptions. Considering the fact that the first- and second-generation R8s had quite a bit of platform sharing with the Gallardo and Huracan models, and with how expensive the Temerario is, VW Group could probably stomach another mid-engined supercar on that platform to help amortize expenses.
Furthermore, it does seem somewhat silly for a brand to shelve one of the most iconic nameplates of the last two decades when it has the resources to revive it. Perhaps that's why rumors about such a car first started appearing in March of last year. Here’s hoping that love of V-8s from Dollner is enough to push such a plan over the finish line.
Source: roadandtrack.com
