A Combustion Supercar Is ‘Thinkable’ Someday

Audi’s lineup could certainly use more pizzazz. Thankfully, Ingolstadt is spicing up the portfolio this year with a new RS5 sedan and wagon, while the next-gen RS6 is also due in 2026 in both body styles. But neither model addresses a gap in the company’s range: a two-door car. With the A5, TT, and R8 in the rearview mirror, a coupe is sorely missed.

The German luxury brand aims to address this gap with the Concept C, arriving within the next two years. It will also make up for the lack of a convertible, as the electric sports car is set to feature an electrically retractable targa roof. Looking further ahead, Audi’s boss is leaving the door open for another supercar.

In an interview with Car and DriverGernot Döllner said a halo model is “someday thinkable.” The Lord of the Rings ruled out reviving the R8 moniker, much like the Concept C won’t wear the TT name when the production model arrives. Audi’s top brass didn’t go into further detail, but it’s reasonable to expect any supercar to borrow the platform underpinning the Lamborghini Temerario.

Previous R8 generations were twinned with the Gallardo and Huracan to share costs, and given the current economic climate, it would be hard to justify developing a new platform from scratch. After all, the Concept C is cut from the same cloth as Porsche’s 718 EVs, although it remains unclear whether Zuffenhausen’s electric Boxster and Cayman are still happening.

Earlier this week, Döllner told Australian media that if Audi were to build an off-roader to rival the Mercedes G-Class, it would have to use an existing body-on-frame platform. Reading between the lines, the company’s boss alluded to a model based on the Scout Traveler, a go-anywhere electric SUV due in 2027 with the option of a range-extending gas engine.

Platform sharing is more relevant now than ever. The Volkswagen Group needs to save every euro cent to remain competitive as the Chinese threat looms over Europe and other regions. Business publication Manager Magazine recently alleged that the automotive conglomerate is planning “massive” cost cuts, potentially reaching 20 percent to save €60 billion by late 2028.

Motor1’s Take: Logic suggests a new supercar doesn’t rank high on the list of priorities, especially with the Concept C already green-lit for production. One exotic model may be enough, as Döllner has already admitted sales will land in the “very low five digits.” A more expensive model with Lamborghini roots would be an even tougher sell, although it would carry the advantage of being powered by a combustion engine.

Using the Temerario as a foundation would accelerate development and limit costs, but Döllner’s tone suggests an indirect R8 successor remains wishful thinking for now. With the electric sports car arriving around 2028, it’s unrealistic to expect Audi’s take on the raging bull this decade, if it happens at all.