Audi's CEO responded with a laugh and said "Good idea" when questioned about a third-generation R8.
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Audi enthusiasts unhappy that the electric Concept C is being presented as the R8 successor can breathe easier today. The forthcoming electric sports car is not intended to replace the R8. Furthermore, Audi’s CEO has hinted that we may indeed see a legitimate third generation of the R8.
In early May, shortly before the 2027 RS5 media launch in Austria, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner remarked to journalists, "It's a fantastic V8 engine in the Temerario. 10,000 RPM, truly an exceptional engine," when queried about the possibility of a third-generation R8.
That didn’t dismiss the idea, and the CEO appears to be quite familiar with the Lamborghini V8’s redline. Curious.
Dollner elaborated without hesitation, “And as I mentioned, we have these opportunities within the Volkswagen group to draw from various technical solutions and integrate them. The C sport is an example, as we developed a car with character based on a Porsche platform. The outcome is distinctly Audi, illustrating our commitment to keeping our customers in mind and developing the right solutions.”
Dollner concluded this discussion with a chuckle, stating, “Good idea.” His laughter had an air of secrecy, rather than an awkward “please stop pestering me” tone.
Just before the inquiry about a third-generation R8, The Drive had asked Dollner about the future of the V8 engine at Audi. “I’m a huge supporter of [the] V8,” Dollner replied.
Connecting the dots, Dollner is an avid supporter of the V8, praised the Temerario’s engine as “truly exceptional,” recalls its redline effortlessly, and recognizes the potential to leverage various “technical solutions” and “integrate them” from the range of vehicles, platforms, and powertrains within the Volkswagen group.
The route toward a third-generation R8 appears promising, and Dollner did nothing to quell the notion or outright say no when the subject arose amid a group of journalists.
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Audi's CEO responded with a laugh and said "Good idea" when questioned about a third-generation R8.
Gernot Dollner didn’t officially announce a new R8, but he didn’t dismiss the idea either, and he was well aware of the Lamborghini Temerario's redline.