Audi has built its last ever R8 supercar
- After two generations and nearly two decades, Audi retires the R8
- Unveiled as a supercar loosely based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, the R8 is available with a V8 or a V10
- The final Audi R8 is a V10 model, finished in ‘Vegas Yellow’ paint
Published on Mar 25, 2024 at 3:39 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Apr 02, 2024 at 6:59 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The final Audi R8 has left the factory, bringing down the curtain on an iconic vehicle for the German manufacturer.
The times, they are a-changin’ and – for car people – that’s often bad news.
The latest supercar to join the growing list of retired icons is the Audi R8.
Yep, the yellow Audi R8 you see in this article is the last model that’ll ever be built.
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After two generations and less than 20 years, Audi is retiring its beloved supercar to make room for – you’ve guessed it – an electric equivalent.
Audi’s decision makers haven’t decided whether the R8 nameplate will live on, but the car itself is unfortunately dead.
It’s sad news because the R8 – which by the way is now of ‘legal age’, having just turned 18 – started out as an underrated car before becoming a true icon.
When Audi announced they wanted to build a supercar loosely based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, eyebrows were raised, chiefly because many struggled with the idea of a proper supercar sporting the Audi badge.
But then Audi unveiled it, and everyone loved it, because it looked like a supercar, drove like a supercar, but didn’t really cost as much as a supercar.
In the early stages of production, back when inflation wasn’t really a topic of conversation, a brand new R8 would cost just five figures in certain markets.
Through the years, Audi launched a V8 and a V10 model, and the latter is what powers the ‘Vegas Yellow’ model you see here.
Under the hood, you’ll find a Lambo-sourced 5.2-liter V10, delivering 612 horsepower and propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
Audi – like nearly every other major car brand – wants to expand its EV line-up while simultaneously killing the internal combustion engine.
We’ve often seen legendary nameplates ‘recycled’ for cars that are potentially very different when compared to the original.
The original Hummer, for example, isn’t exactly the same as the Hummer EV, and not just because of the new electric engine.
Ford went even further with the Mustang Mach-E, which is a Mustang-branded vehicle that’s an SUV, which was unthinkable just a few years ago.
With that in mind, we fully expect an R8 that’s an electric supercar, or an Audi R8 that’s maybe a luxury SUV.
It’s probably going to be a great vehicle, just like the current R8, but possibly not as iconic.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
