Audi bids adieu to R8 Supercar after 17 years; may be for its electric rebirth

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Audi has officially ceased production of its renowned R8 supercar, marking the end of a 17-year era. The final R8, a high-performance variant, rolled off the assembly line at Audi's Bollinger Hofe plant in Germany and will be preserved at the company's museum in Ingolstadt.

The final R8, a high-performance Performance Quattro Edition variant, has a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine producing 612 bhp. It was initially powered exclusively by a 4.2-liter V-8, but a few years later Audi dropped the Gallardo's 5.2-liter V-10 into the R8.

Originally introduced in 2007 as Audi's «sensible supercar,» the R8 garnered respect for its powerful V-10 engine shared with the Lamborghini Huracán. Despite never achieving high sales volumes, with production peaking in 2008 at just over 5,000 units, the R8 leaves behind a legacy of performance and innovation.

However, with the final curtain call in March 2024, Audi remains silent about any potential successor. Speculations abound regarding an all-electric reincarnation, following Audi's commitment to electric vehicle (EV) development post-2026. The PB18 E-Tron concept showcased in 2018 provides a glimpse into what a potential electric successor might entail.

The production of R8 would have ended in 2023. Audi extended the R8's lifespan due to a surge in demand following the announcement of its discontinuation.