---
title: "Third-Gen Audi R8 Will Be a 1,000-HP, Electric Hypercar: Report"
description: "It appears the naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10 engines will cease to exist."
date: "2018-09-05"
modified: "2018-09-05"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/23364/third-gen-audi-r8-will-be-a-1000-hp-electric-hypercar-report"
categories:
  - "Audi News"
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Audi"
  - "Audi R8"
  - "automotive news"
  - "Coupe"
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "German Cars"
  - "Hypercars"
  - "News"
  - "R8"
  - "Supercars"
  - "Volkswagen Group"
---

# Third-Gen Audi R8 Will Be a 1,000-HP, Electric Hypercar: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/09/a189698_medium-e1536111474248.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Despite [rumors](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/19280/audi-has-no-plans-for-a-third-generation-r8-report-says>) claiming that Audi isn't interested in building a third-generation R8, a new report suggests that an all-new, fully electric R8 hypercar will be happening and that will mark a radical departure from the current model.

According to [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/next-audi-r8-be-hypercar-chasing-ev>), the next R8 will be fully electric, offer hypercar levels of performance, and arrive on the scene in 2022—nearly two years later than the [Tesla Roadster's](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23154/jay-leno-takes-a-ride-in-the-2020-tesla-roadster>), erm, *advertised* launch date of 2020. When it comes to specifications, the report claims that all-wheel drive, up to 1,000 horsepower, and styling will be inspired by the company's [PB 18 E-Tron concept](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23110/audis-pb-18-e-tron-concept-is-a-shooting-brake-supercar-from-the-future>), an electric supercar with wagon styling that recently made its debut during Monterey Car Week. According to *Autocar*, this information comes from "senior company source hints."

![message-editor%2F1536119181064-small-audi-pb-18-e-tron-concept-car-4513.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1536119181064-small-audi-pb-18-e-tron-concept-car-4513.jpg>)
**Audi AG**

If the electric Mk3 R8 does come to fruition, however, *Autocar* reasonably speculates a zero-to-62 time of around two seconds and a resurrection of the [R8 e-tron](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/5532/the-audi-r8-e-tron-is-dead>) badge. Ever since it was first introduced in 2006, the Audi R8 has been powered by naturally aspirated V-10 or V8 engines. The electric e-tron version, while it did exist, went for over $1.1 million and less than 100 units were ever sold.

On Tuesday, [Audi kicked off production on its e-tron electric SUV](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23348/audi-starts-mass-production-of-e-tron-electric-suv>), a car that is set to debut Sept. 17 and battle against the Tesla Model X as well as [Mercedes-Benz's recently unveiled EQC](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/23339/on-site-in-stockholm-for-the-all-new-mercedes-benz-eqc-400-reveal>).

We've reached out to Audi for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)