Should be lighter and more powerful than its predecessor

The 2015 Audi R8 has been spied up close while being loaded onto a trailer.

While the model is still heavily camouflaged, we can see it will have an evolutionary design that echoes its predecessor. Starting up front, we can see a sporty bumper with large air intakes and angular headlights. The déjà vu design continues out back as the model has slender taillights which are mounted above prominent air vents. Despite the similarities, the new model has a four tailpipe exhaust system and a sportier rear diffuser.

The interior photo doesn't reveal much but we can see the cabin will have a three spoke steering wheel and plenty of metallic trim. There's also a new center stack which eschews an infotainment system as it is integrated into the digital instrument cluster like on the 2015 TT.

Audi has remained coy on technical specifications but previous reports have indicated the entry-level model will have a 4.2-liter V8 engine that develops more than 430 PS (316 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. We can also expect an upgraded 5.2-liter V10 with more than 525 HP (386 kW) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque. Both engines are expected to be connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system.

Thankfully, Audi will be sticking with naturally aspirated power for its upcoming R8 supercar, a model recently spotted testing around the Nürburgring, leaving a resonant trail of V10 in its wake.

It will also be lighter than before and probably better in every single way, possibly except for the steering that does tend to get worse in modern cars, not necessarily better in terms of feel and involvement factor.

The video posted below, courtesy of TouriClips, is really all about the engine noise, since you’ve already seen the new R8 (and its interior) before via shots from our spies.

However, while we believe the R8 will launch with the same basic non-turbo units as before, there’s nothing stopping Audi from adding one later during the car’s life – it’s actually quite likely given the current state of the market and trends set by other manufacturers.

Testing on the Nurburgring

Our spies have sent us a fresh batch of images with the highly anticipated second generation Audi R8.

The prototype was caught testing on the Nürburgring where Audi is celebrating last weekend's triumph at the 24-hour endurance race through a big R8 logo painted on the grass as a reference to its LMS ultra winning car.

The car spotted was heavily disguised but our spies managed to grab a picture of the (unfinished) left door panel which looks considerably different compared to the outgoing model and it seems to boast a vertical air vent.

Set to come out sometime next year, the second-gen Audi R8 will continue with the usual naturally aspirated 4.2 V8 and 5.2 V10 engines but these will probably come with a minor power hike. The vehicle is expected to shave off around 130 lbs (59 kg) and will make use of a 12.3-inch digital customizable instrument cluster sourced from the 2014 TT.

It will retain the quattro all-wheel drive system and later during its lifetime will be offered with a smaller turbocharged engine working as the other motors with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Chances are Audi will decide to finally shows the revamped R8 before the end of the year, with sales likely to commence at the beginning of 2015.

2015 Audi R8 spied with the door open

A host of changes are due for the upcoming 2016 Audi R8, and more details on what to expect have emerged.

According to Automobile, the manual transmission option that is currently available will no longer be a choice when the new car is revealed, which means customers will get a seven-speed auto whether they like it or not.

The other major change coming to the R8 is the addition of a diesel powerplant, though it won’t be available until 2017. A pet project of Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch, the Audi R8 TDI will get its power from either a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 diesel or an even larger 5.0-liter V10 diesel.

The new Audi will be closely related to the Lamborghini Huracan, with both cars riding on the same platform made from aluminium and carbon fiber. Other shared attributes between the cars include uprated control-arm suspension, dynamic steering and laser-beam matrix headlights.

On the engine front, the 2016 R8 will still offer a V8 and a V10, though the V8 is a new twin-turbo 4.0-liter unit that should make around 460 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 returns, and will be available with two different power ratings. The base ten cylinder will make 540 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque while the most powerful option will push out 600 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.

An all-electric version of the R8 is also in cards, known as the R8 E-Tron.

While a diesel version is still on the table it seems, we’ve just learnt that Audi is ruling out building a plug-in hybrid based on its upcoming all-new R8 supercar.

The primary focus for the car will be to get its conventional petrol engine up to scratch, and not mess around with electrification, despite the fact that it perhaps would have been a fitting car to use such a system – a kind of watered down Porsche 918 hybrid could have been put in place.

Still, CarAdvice did find out from Audi product manager Marie Suzanne Ernst that “In the next generation we will have an electric car on behalf of customers’ needs, which is only available [upon special order]. So it’s not a make of series production, but if a customer wants to have it, he can order it.”

We don’t know if by “an electric car” they mean a completely different model, or something else, though – it could just mean that they are making an all-electric R8, but that it won’t be available for order from your usual Audi showroom.

Audi is trying to forge e-tron into a pillar of their range, like petrol and diesel engines currently are. Prime candidates for first series electrification are the larger cars, the SUVs – the new Q7 could very well debut with one hybrid powerplant, which wouldn’t surprise anybody.

By RM Design

Thanks to RM Design, we have one more vision for the next generation Audi R8.

The work is probably based on the 2015 Audi TT and features its aggressive front fascia with a hexagonal grille, surrounded by matrix-beam LED lights.
According to previous reports, we can also expect shorter side blades and a Le Mans inspired "double diffuser".

As reported before, engine options are likely to carryover with some minor modifications to increase their output. Choices could include a 4.2-liter V8 with roughly 450 bhp (335 kW) and a 5.2-liter V10 with about 570 bhp (425 kW).

A TDI version could be introduced in 2017. There is still nothing official about this car, but the model will reportedly use either a 4.0-liter V8 TDI engine or a 5.0-liter V10 TDI engine. There's no word on specifications, but the R8 TDI Le Mans concept had a V12 TDI engine with 500 PS (367 kW) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque.

An R8 V10 Plus is also expected with 600 bhp (447 kW) and 413 lb-ft (559 Nm) of torque.

There's a second-gen Audi R8 on its way and if you can immediately tell the differences with the current model, then you deserve four rings on your hand and a pat on the back.

This is pretty much evident even with all the camouflage covering Audi's development prototypes, but if you prefer a more direct approach, our friend Marco van Overbeeke has shared these renderings he made.

The Dutch designer used his digital pen to fill in the gaps we have from the testers – mainly, the front and rear ends of the German supercar, with inspiration coming from Audi's latest design DNA.

It’s an evolutionary design theme with Audi giving the new R8 a few more edges and creases along with slicker looking and more technologically advanced LED lights.

As far as the interior is concerned, previous spy photos reveal that Audi will give the next R8 a brand new dashboard highlighted by the new large monitor in the driver’s instrument binnacle, similar to the new TT series.

Being a sister model to the Lamborghini Huracan, the new R8 will share the same modular sports car platform known as MSS, with a longer wheelbase and wider tracks. Audi's halo supercar will launch with the same naturally-aspirated V8 and V10 engines used in the current model, albeit tuned to offer improved performance and fuel economy numbers.

By Theophilus Chin

The next generation Audi R8 has been virtually envisioned once again ahead of expected debut this year.

This time the renderings are based on the Nanuk concept that was revealed during the 2013 IAA. The virtual model shares most of its design cues with the crossover concept, but features a lower profile and smaller wheels. We also noticed designer Theophilus Chin has changed the headlights, while the Audi badge has been placed on the engine hood.

From what we know about the second generation Audi R8 so far, it will be offered with two engines, both connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system. The entry-level model will be powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine with 430 HP (316 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque, while the more powerful will be equipped with a 5.2-liter V10 unit, producing more than 525 HP (386 kW) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque.

Electric version to have around 500 km range

Audi has confirmed the second generation R8 will receive its world premiere during the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Speaking to CarAdvice, Audi board member for technical development Ulrich Hackenberg also said the model will be launched along with the e-tron all-electric version. “That (the e-tron) will be introduced with the successor of the R8, and we will have first example of the car… in next March, at Geneva, so you will see, it’s done.”

He commented the R8 probably won’t be getting a manual transmission, because “double-clutch gearboxes are extremely sporty, and if you want to drive extremely sporty and fast, for the record of your personal lap time, you will need a double-clutch.”

In previous interviews, Hackenberg said the R8 e-tron will be used as a “tech carrier for other models”. Rumors say the model will have a range of up to 400 km (248 miles) on a single charge, but now he commented that “we are working on a car which is able to go around 500 or maybe a little more kilometers range, that will be a fully electric car”.

To quote the wise Col Hans Landa (Inglorious Bastards), "Facts can be so misleading -but rumors, true or false, are often revealing". Sometimes this is how we feel whenever we get to see leaked photos or when we hear someone use the word "allegedly". It's exciting!

Thanks to instagram user 'dreboog', what we might be seeing here appears to be the all-new Audi R8. In the post, he also mentions that the scoop came from an anonymous Audi insider, which is another thing we always enjoy hearing.

And so just by analyzing its looks, it seems to the all-new Audi R8 and not some expertly executed body kit hoax. Never mind that the headlights, the overall shape of the front grille and the spoiler are downright identical to what we've seen in our spy shots. It's when we looked further down the side of the car where you have a midsection design line starting from underneath the side mirror and moving straight towards the rear wheel arches - we realized that this is exactly what we saw in the spy shots. It's got the same design cues.

Also, the current generation Audi R8 has a slightly different shoulder line, different mirrors, different grille, headlights and so on. This is clearly something else.

Just so we can keep the good news flowing, we'll remind you that you won't have to wait much longer until the R8 is officially revealed at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

Will initially be offered with an upgraded V10 5.2

Australian media is reporting the second generation Audi R8 will not be offered with the familiar 4.2-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine.

According to Motoring, sources close to Audi have announced the 4.2 V8 engine will not be offered on the highly anticipated supercar. It will initially be available with the V10 5.2 upgraded from the R8 LMX’s 570 HP (419 kW) to somewhere in the region of 578 HP (425 kW).

There were some talks about a plug-in hybrid version with the aforementioned 4.2-liter V8 engine teamed up with an electric motor but apparently the eight-cylinder will be replaced by a V6 or even a four-cylinder motor likely with turbocharging assistance. It will be a while until this R8 derivative will hit dealerships as the report says it's at least three years away.

The same Audi sources are hinting a turbodiesel-powered version of the Lamborghini Huracan-based R8 could come out later on during the model's lifespan. This really shouldn't come as a big surprise as the outgoing model was almost offered with a V12 TDI which eventually ended up in the first-gen Q7.

We remind you Audi board member for technical development Ulrich Hackenberg has already confirmed a fully electric version will be shown alongside the conventional-powered R8 next month at the Geneva Motor Show.