Skip to main content

Audi axes hypercar plans, focuses on something more pressing (and less exciting)

Audi hypercar rendering
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Late last year, we excitedly brought you a story about the Audi R20 hypercar – also called the R18 and the Scorpion. Based upon Audi’s Le Mans racecars, the production hypercar would set a new standard for hypercars from an everyday automaker, taking on the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, and Koenigsegg.

We were very excited about this prospect. Not because we thought it’d change the world much but because we’re supercar dorks and a 550-horsepower Audi hypercar would have just been flippin’ neat.

Now we’ve learned that Audi has axed the program, according to Car&Driver. The German automaker has instead decided to focus on other more pressing projects. What other projects? Probably something hybrid-y, which will most likely be extremely cool in its own right. But not as cool as the Scorpion.

Audi fans will instead just have to wait for the Frankfurt Auto Show when Audi is expected to release the much more reasonably priced, relatively speaking, new-gen Quattro.

Would we rather a Quattro over the Scorpion? Yes. Do we wish Audi had done both? Also, yes.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more