Latest reports suggest that the Audi R8 will be axed by the end of the decade.
Making its debut in September 2006, the Audi R8 is a two-door supercar which was relatively popular in India as well as other markets. The second generation introduced in 2015 was meant to replicate a similar success story for the brand. In India, the second generation was introduced in 2016 in the top-spec V10+ guise.
Latest reports point towards a nearing end of the legendary supercar’s journey as Audi intends to phase out the R8 worldwide in 2020. Various reasons are being speculated at this stage, the most credible being its substandard performance in sales charts. Apart from that, VW dieselgate scandal, Audi’s exit from Le Mans and Audi Quattro rebranding (to Audi Sport) are also being cited as probable causes.
At around the same time, the next generation Lamborghini Huracan will be launched but there is no successor in the pipeline for the Audi R8. Consequently, plans of the hybrid R8 e-Tron and the 1000 HP Scorpion supercar will have to be dropped. Audi recently introduced the R8 RWD which is a shift from the Quattro cars we’ve been seeing over the years.
In the coming years, Audi plans to thoroughly update its S and RS lineup and work on the RS Q8 which will also be the brand’s flagship model sharing its powertrain with the Lamborghini Urus. By the end of 2019, Audi is likely to introduce the under-development Project J1 that will be a full-sized four-door coupe.
In India, the R8 V10+ is available at a princely sum of Rs. 2.63 crores (ex-showroom, Mumbai). It is propelled by a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine which churns out 602 BHP of power and 560 Nm of torque. The R8 competes with the Nissan GT-R and Lamborghini Huracan in our market. Being powered by a naturally-aspirated motor is a rarity in the age of turbocharging and battery power which surely makes the R8 V10+ an enthusiast’s delight.
Audi R8 Discontinue
– To be phased out in 2020 due to poor demand
– Dieselgate scandal, exit from Le Mans and new product strategy being cited as reasons for discontinuation
– No successor planned for the Audi R8
– Available in India in top-spec V10+ trim only
Source – AutomobileMag.com