- By Divanshi Sharma
- Fri, 29 Mar 2024 04:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
German luxury car manufacturer, Audi has officially ended production of its iconic R8 supercar, marking the end of an era as the last model recently rolled off the assembly line at Audi’s plant in Germany. The final R8, a coupe in V10 Performance Quattro spec, was adorned in a striking Vegas Yellow paint with bronze wheels and featured a carbon fibre styling package.
This particular R8 is expected to retire quietly, as reports suggest it will find a new home in a museum. Audi had initially announced plans to phase out the R8 in October 2022. However, the announcement triggered a surge in orders for the remaining R8s, prompting Audi to extend production for a few more months.
Audi R8 History
The Audi R8 debuted as the Le Mans Quattro concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and the R8 transitioned into a production model three years later. The R8 has served as Audi’s high-performance flagship supercar, commemorating Audi's consecutive wins at the gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race from 2000 to 2002. Notably, the R8 also gained fame for its appearance in the original Iron Man movie.
The second-generation R8 made its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Its retirement holds significance due to the rarity of its engine – a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10. The R8 was among the rare breed of cars on sale featuring a V10 engine, alongside its sibling, the Lamborghini Huracan. While Audi offered both generations of the R8 supercar for a limited period in India, the R8 facelift did not make its way to the Indian market.
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Future of Audi R8
In the future, Audi is poised to replace the R8 with a redesigned electric supercar, ushering in a new era of sports cars. It is set for a mid-decade debut, however, details about the EV remain scarce. It is expected to embody the essence of the R8, featuring a striking two-door silhouette, formidable power output and a premium price tag. The use of the ‘R8’ moniker for its electric successor, however, remains uncertain.