The Audi R8 was a car of many firsts for the German brand. The R8 was Audi’s first supercar, and cemented the brand’s stature among the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the day. The first-generation R8 that debuted in 2006 was the first production car to debut LED headlights and LED positioning lamps, further enhancing the R8’s high-tech, space-age vibe. It was essentially a concept car that came to life, drawing heavily on the hunkered-down stance of Audi’s Le Mans quattro concept car that it previewed in 2003.
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Undoubtedly, the R8 is one of the best-looking Audis ever made and one of the coolest German muscle cars. It also became Audi’s flagship model upon launch, but never sold in absurd numbers. Peak global sales reached over 5,000 units (Coupe and Spyder) in 2008, but the numbers dipped to 1,651 units by 2021. Audi confirmed in 2022 that the 2023 model year was the last for the venerable R8 supercar, and sales rose dramatically as willing buyers lined up to snatch the last of the breed.
Despite the momentary sales hike, the numbers weren’t enough to offset production costs. The final Audi R8 rolled off the production line in 2024, capping a sterling 17-year production run. Weak sales were the prominent factor for the R8’s demise, but it also had to do with freeing up some funds to support the brand’s transition into electrification. Killing off the Audi TT was also part of the plan.
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