Audi released the ‘Skorpion’, an endurance car for the road

Just a few weeks ago, the last R8 rolled off the production line.

For several years, though, Audi toyed with the idea of ​​creating another dedicated performance machine.

Under the local name ‘Skorpion’, the German automaker worked on a sports car concept between 2010 and 2013.

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In short, the Skorpion was basically set up as a road-going version of the R18 Le Mans endurance car.

You’re probably thinking, ‘the one with the diesel engine?’ – and you would be right.

In fact, many power trains were planned for Skorpion, gas and diesel, and the results vary from 400 to 550 horses.

A diesel supercar may sound unusual, but next month Alpine plans to launch its hydrogen combustion model, which is again far from normal.

Back to the Skorpion and there would be rear and all-wheel drive versions, as well as a hybrid setup that pairs an ICE with an electric motor.

Aero work was supposed to take after Audi’s DTM cars of the day, too.

According to Audi, the Skorpion would be a successor to the second-generation R8, which was being worked on at the same time, and went into production in 2015.

Unfortunately, German brand it threw off a fun project – but it must have been serious to launch at some point.

Back in April 2013, Car and Driver reported that the car was going into production, and rumors were that there would be 333 units made.

It was also believed that the Skorpion would use a racing car’s 3.7-liter V6 diesel engine mated to an electric motor, producing a combined 700+ horsepower.

Apparently, the ICE would drive the rear wheels, while the e-motor would drive the front axle – in a sort of electrified Quattro configuration.

Audi has hinted at a new performance flagship that, if you were to put money on it, would probably take the form of an electric R8.

Fingers crossed this time that it’s more successful, as the old R8 e-tron was a bargain, and less than 100 units were sold.

In other Audi-related news, the brand recently unveiled its first new-generation EV and the new Q6 e-tron electric SUV.