CGX car nut:
R8 sales even in the States isn't strong. Part of the problem is pricing, as Christian mentioned for the German market, is true for this market too. Audi really needed to introduce an entry level R8 using a smaller engine. Unfortunately, it is too late for the R8. Given the new electrification strategy at Volkswagen, an electric sports car makes more sense than one with a V10.
The R8 e-tron was cancelled last year, limited quantity (pre-series) production stopped completely.
The future of Audi is more something like the Audi Quattro Sport or the RS6, RS4, RS5, not a super sportscar like the R8. This is going to happen with Porsche, not with Audi anymore. At least this seems to be currently the strategy for the future in the VW Group. Of course everything is in a flow right now at VW Group. Last year, the rumor came up that Audi and VW Group are done with the R8, I reported it here on Rennteam and even several car magazines picked this up (not from RT but from their own sources at Audi Sport). Then, Audi Sport boss Winkelmann had a different vision for the R8 and wanted to keep it but VW Group apparently decided different and Winkelmann moved on to Bugatti. This is how fast things are moving at VW Group right now, it is amazing how much can change within a couple of months.
My plan was to keep my current R8 and buy it out of the lease but right now, the plan looks different: I am very likely going to get the facelift (I just love the R8, I know that many people don't understand but for the money I pay for this car, it is a bargain) and buy it out of the lease once it ends, if I can afford it. The facelift makes a lot of sense for me because it will be the last evolutionary step of the R8 with the final tech and engine improvements. I just hope this car will be delivered without the particle filter (direct fuel injection) because right now, it seems that the particle filter will have the same effect as a turbo charger, meaning muting the exhaust/engine sound. I could live with a slightly quieter exhaust sound but I hope that the facelift won't be affected since it runs on the same certification as the original car.
Lamborghini just reported record sales numbers, so the product is OK but like I said before, the R8 was marketed and priced wrong and now it is to late to change anything.
Markets will be flooded with used R8 V10 Plus at some point, putting their (used) prices probably even under more pressure. My dealer gets 25(!) used R8 V10 Plus Spyder (Audi Driving Experience cars), each with not more than 7000 km or so and I was clearly thinking about getting one but since the facelift is coming, I guess I am sticking to the Coupe.
My sales guy already "reserved" one facelift car for me and I'll see what I am going to do with this "reservation". Demand for the facelift will be probably as bad as for the current car, so no worries here. Unless Audi puts something spectacular on the market but I doubt it. Right now, not even the RWS is confirmed but it will, as rumors indicate, get the same technical options and features as the new Huracan facelift, so...
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991.2 Carrera GTS Cabriolet (2018), Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2017), Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mini JCW (2015)