--- title: "Audi’s CEO Said ‘Good Idea’ and Laughed When Asked About a Third-Gen R8" date: "2026-05-26" modified: "2026-05-26" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/audis-ceo-said-good-idea-and-laughed-when-asked-about-a-third-gen-r8" categories: - "Audi News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "sports car" --- # Audi’s CEO Said ‘Good Idea’ and Laughed When Asked About a Third-Gen R8 ![Lamborghini Temerario]() Audi fans dismayed at the [electric Concept C]() acting as an R8 successor will find comfort today. The upcoming electric sports car is in fact not the R8 replacement. More over, Audi's CEO just hinted we might indeed be getting a proper third act to the R8. Earlier in May, in Austria, days ahead of [the 2027 RS5]() media launch Audi CEO Gernot Dollner told journalists, "It's a great V8 engine in the Temerario. [10,000 rev](), really outstanding engine" when asked about producing a third-generation R8. That wasn't a no, and the CEO seems to know the Lamborghini V8's redline number off the top of his head. Weird. Dollner continued without pausing, "And as I said, I mean, we have these opportunities at Volkswagen group to come up from the different technical solutions and combine them. And I mean, [the C sport is an example]() that we build a car with character based on a Porsche platform. And the result is a clear Audi and that's our approach to have our customers in mind and come up with the right solutions." Dollner closed the topic by saying, "Good idea," while laughing. It was one of those "I've got a secret" kind of laughs, not an awkward "stop asking me questions" laugh. ![Lamborghini Temerario V8]() Seconds before the question of a third-generation R8 [*The Drive* had asked Dollner]() about the future of the V8 engine at Audi. "I'm a big fan of \[the\] V8," Dollner said. Putting the pieces together, Dollner's a big fan of the V8, called the Temerario's engine "really outstanding" and knew its redline off the top of his head, and understands the opportunities to borrow different "technical solutions" and "combine them" from within the Volkswagen group's arsenal of vehicles, platforms, and powertrains. The path towards a third-generation R8 seems clear and Dollner made zero effort to throw cold water on the idea or say no when the opportunity was handed to him in a room full of journalists. *Got a tip about future product? Send us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()