Despite some automakers still holding out on fully electrifying its lineups, the end of the internal combustion engine's legacy is on the horizon. Car manufacturers are put to the task of morphing their most radical performance machines to abide by current emission regulations. Sometimes that's just too much of an adaptation, meaning these car brands would have to discontinue their models as a whole instead of fitting them with pitiful engines disgracing their names as a whole — that is, unless you're Ford with the Mustang Mach-E, which HotCars named the best electric vehicle of 2021.
UPDATED October 2022: Since this post first went live, several industry news stories broke announcing the departure of some beloved vehicles. We've updated the list with today's coolest models bowing out soon.
The cars covered below have their expiration dates set in stone including performance-orientated sports cars, hardcore V8-powered monstrosities, and more. Without further ado, here are the most noteworthy cars leaving us by 2023.
10 Audi R8
The Audi R8 is an everyday supercar widely loved by gearheads that's facing its demise much sooner than we'd like. The original Audi R8 was released back in the mid-2000s, and it was offered with a choice of either a 4.2-liter V8 or a 5.2-liter V10 that was mounted right in the center of its body.
The R8 has been equipped with a sea of different variations; some had retractable roofs, others' power was sent purely to the rear wheels, and probably the most noteworthy model of them all came with a gated 6-speed manual transmission. The R8's reason of birth was because once the VW group acquired Lamborghini under their list of famous brand names, it allowed them to supply Audi with the needed technology to create their very own supercar, albeit a reskinned Gallardo.
9 Lamborghini Aventador
The Aventador has been with us since 2011, with no remarkable changes made throughout the years excluding special-edition high-performance models such as the SVJ 63, but what makes the Aventador such a unique entry is that it should have been discontinued already.
Earlier in 2022, a ship called the Felicity Ace sank about 250 miles off the coast of Portugal's Azores Islands after erupting into a fire. This ship harbored countless Porsches, Audis, and of course, Lamborghinis — some being the last few Ultimae Aventadors ever created. Understandably, customers were unhappy paying for a supercar that hasn't yet arrived at their doorsteps. Lamborghini restarted production for the Aventador, according to Automotive News. However, once those last few models are built, the naturally-aspirated V12-powered Lamborghini will be gone for good.
8 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
On the heels of a pair of muscly American cars, another one shows up on the list. Although built by Jeep, the Cherokee Trackhawk comes with a similar engine to those found in the Hellcats — one that makes it one of the best super SUVs to buy: a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8.
This sleeper SUV produces more than 700 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, and when all its power is split between all four wheels, this 5,400-lb family hauler can sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in a mere 3.4 seconds. Of course, ludicrously fast SUVs are becoming almost "normal," especially when looking at vehicles such as the Tesla Model X Plaid can do on the drag strip. It's no wonder why so many brands are opting out for more EVs today.
7 Dodge Charger
After serving as a worthy performance option for over 10 years, the seventh-generation Charger will drive off into the sunset following the 2023 model year. Dodge is making sure to send the model off with a bang by offering a series of "Last Call" Editions including a Charger Super Bee.
Dodge's decision to discontinue its V8-powered muscle cars comes at a time when automakers are largely shifting to electrified lineups. The company announced its upcoming Charger Daytona SRT concept during last August's Detroit Show, signaling possible models to come.
6 Dodge Challenger
From being a classic icon in such hits as Vanishing Point to helping usher in a second golden age of muscle cars today, the Challenger in many ways represents the epitome of what Dodge cars are all about.
We've had a great time with this monstrous Hellcat, especially when it came down to the Demon's performance figures, but the world just doesn't allow this amount of unprecedented fun anymore.
5 Lamborghini Countach
As our exclusive spy photos continue to trickle out showing the new Countach supercar outside Lamborghini's factory, fan excitement over this revived classic remains at a fever pitch. Lamborghini first revealed the new Countach to the world back in August 2021.
Although the new model's design differs from the '80s classic, it's based on the latest Aventador - another Lamborghini supercar on the list that won't see past model year 2023.
4 Hyundai Veloster N
One of the best hatchbacks today is getting the axe. In June, Hyundai announced it was putting the Veloster N to rest. The automaker's reason had to do with the Elantra N and Kona N launching in the States.
In addition to performance, the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N offers a very competitive package for starting at just $32,500. Quirky (in a good way), the Veloster N leaves a short-lived but fun impression on the auto world.
3 Kia Stinger GT
This entry will be very divisive considering many absolutely adore the Kia Stinger. Despite the argument it's a true budget-version of a German performance sedan such as the new BMW 3-Series LCI, others see it as a joke and can't look past the Kia badge. Whichever side of the aisle one falls on, there is no denying that the Stinger GT was an absolutely marvelous car.
In 2022, the Stinger GT comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 that sent out 368 hp to all four wheels, and as a result, could do a 0-60 run in 4.6 seconds. Oh, and it looked great while doing it too. Over the past few years, Kia has seriously been stepping up its game, especially with their vast range of EVs, so we're very excited to see what the Korean car manufacturer comes up with next to replace the Stinger.
2 Subaru WRX STI
Subaru will continue to produce the latest-generation WRX for quite a few years to come. However, the one thing that caught fans off-guard was the absence of an STI version on the new WRX. The STI isn't powered by some gas-guzzling V8 — it used to come with a 4-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine, so emissions couldn't be the only cause of death to the STI.
It's disheartening to see the STI disappear, especially since the other fast four-banger cars such as the 2023 Civic Type R are still set to continue production. Even Toyota continues to produce their fun fast little cars, such as the GR Corolla and GR Yaris, and power them with turbocharged three-cylinder engines.
1 Nissan GT-R (R35)
Here's an unusual take: Nissan discontinuing the GTR R35 might not be bad news as a whole. The R35-generation GTR has been sold since 2009, and between the years we've only received power upgrades and minor facelifts. At its core, however, the GT-R's still the same dragstrip monster and tuner icon it was more than a decade ago.
Throughout its lifespan, a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 powered the GT-R. In its most powerful variant, the VR38 engine put out more than 700 hp. So by discontinuing the R35, Nissan will give the automotive world one last gasoline-powered GTR before it's too late. Already, gearheads are speculating about a new GT-R R36 in anticipation of the new sports car.