Purists may call it darker days, while environmentalists think of them as a green revolution, but both seem to agree that the electric wave is slowly sweeping away the automotive market. With your Lambos and Ferraris opting for hybrid powertrains, along with Mercedes introducing an electric AMG, many ICE-powered iconic cars are on their last legs. Recently, news came out that Ford will be ending the production of its GT Supercar this year. In a similar vein, we’ve compiled a list of eight cars which are headed toward the chopping block but may make a comeback in an electric avatar.
1) Audi R8
Just last week Audi unveiled the limited-edition Audi R8 V10 GT RWD, a swan song to the model’s 16-year long run. Limited to just 333 units, the last of its kind model packs a 5.2-litre, naturally-aspirated motor, which makes 620PS of power and 565Nm of torque. This allows it to complete the 0-100kmph sprint in just 3.4 seconds, with a limited top speed of 320kmph. The R8 is one of the brand’s most iconic cars, making an appearance in pop culture such as the Need For Speed: Carbon video game. We wouldn’t be surprised if Audi resurrects it in electric form down the line.
2) Bugatti Chiron
Earlier this year, Bugatti announced that the Chiron will be entering its last production cycle. The iconic car, which was the successor of the Veyron, will eventually be succeeded by an all-new Rimac-Bugatti offering in the future. In case you were hoping to get your hands on one, tough luck. Only the Super Sport and the Super Sport 300+ versions of the Chiron were produced this year, each limited to just 30 units. As you can guess, most of them are already sold out.
Powering the Chiron was an 8.0-litre W16 engine mill, which made around 1500PS of power and did 0-100kmph in just 2.4 seconds. The Chiron also famously has a top speed of 420kmph, which is electronically limited.
3) Lamborghini Aventador
Last week, Lamborghini officially rolled out the last of the Aventador off its production line, marking an end for the brand’s V12 motor. The final iteration, called the Ultimae, was limited to 350 coupes and 250 roadsters, each of which might’ve already been sold out. Regardless though, the Ultimae bowed out of the stage with style, making 790PS of power and 720Nm of torque, with a top speed of 356kmph. It also edged out the SVJ as the fastest road-going Aventador, with a 0-100kmph sprint coming up in just 2.8 seconds.
4) Ford Mustang
After the GT, Ford is now looking to pull the plug on the ICE-powered Mustang next. As per reports, the 2024 Mustang will soon be replaced with an all-electric Mustang, making a debut late in 2028 as a 2029 model. While details are still scarce, the electric Mustang might ride on the same platform as the Mach-E electric crossover, which in itself will see changes over the years. In its current form, the Mustang packs a 5-litre V8 motor, which makes 460PS of power and 556Nm of torque.
6) Mercedes-AMG GT
Late last month, AMG boss Philipp Scheimer officially confirmed that the production of the GT Supercar had stopped and that “it’s no longer available.” The second car to be developed entirely in-house by AMG, the GT never quite lived up to its potential, enjoying only a moderate amount of success in its ICE-form. Could this mean, we might see it back in an all-electric form? We’re keeping our fingers crossed. Until then, the last few models remain to be powered by the infamous M178 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine, which makes 730PS of power and can hit the 100kmph mark from nought in just 3.2 seconds.
7) Honda NSX
The famous Honda NSX, a car which only 90s kids might remember is finally headed to the “farm upstate.” After nearly a 20-year run, Honda will end the production of the iconic car in 2022. Sending it off in fashion, the Japanese manufacturer launched a special edition “Type S” version, which was limited to just 350 units globally (300 of them being allocated for the US). In its final avatar, the Type S packed a hybrid 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 with three electric motors, putting out a combined power of 581PS. While there is no word on the street if Honda will permanently put the NSX nameplate on the back shelf, we do hope it comes back in one form or the other shortly.
