Audi R8 ‘Last Lap’ teased via Instagram

It turns out the Audi R8 might not be quite as done as we first thought, with the German car-maker previewing what seems to be a new swansong special-edition for its discontinued (in Australia) supercar via its Instagram page overnight.

Referred to as the R8 Last Lap in the hashtags accompanying the post, the final, final Audi R8 will be revealed on September 12 – almost 11 months after the 2023 Audi R8 GT RWD debuted as the ‘final version’ of the sexy mid-engined supercar.

Already confirmed to feature the lauded Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10, a fixed rear spoiler and some dazzling five-spoke spider-web wheels, Audi says the R8 Last Lap will be “something special” designed to “celebrate its storied history”, but more concrete details are sadly missing.

The loosely disguised prototype teased in the images is wrapped in a unique red, white and black – Audi Sport – colour scheme and was actually present at last month’s Monterey Car Week after it took a couple of final laps at the nearby Laguna Seca Raceway.

We’re not sure what’s in store for this R8 send-off, which could be limited to the US, but we can tell you it’s missing the angry front aero features of the GT RWD so it’s unlikely to be Lambo-poaching monster.

Odds are the reveal will be accompanied by some sort of R8 celebration and history lesson to mark the end of production for the second-generation R8 launched in 2015, but any local readers getting their hopes up for another chance to buy a new R8 will be bitterly disappointed because it won’t be available in Australia, where Audi’s flagship sports car was discontinued almost exactly two years ago.

Nevertheless, we’ll bring you all the latest news and developments surrounding the R8 Last Lap when it debuts next week.

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