Last week, we wrote what appeared to be an obituary for Audi’s 4.2-liter V-8, the 450-hp delight that wails like it’s lapping a DTM circuit. But while this naturally aspirated gem will be swapped for a turbo V-6 in the next RS4, rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.

From our ears inside Audi, the next-gen R8—due out next year after the debut of its platform mate, the Lamborghini Huracán—will keep this V-8 in its current form, tuned to deliver slightly more power than the 430-hp version in the 2014 model. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, fearsome as it is in the new RS7, is apparently too difficult to properly cool in a mid-engine configuration, especially with its turbos mounted inboard.

Audi also doesn’t want the R8 looking soft alongside the new Lambo. Specifically, we were told a turbocharged engine, no matter how fast the turbines spool, would dull the R8’s throttle response and muffle the exhaust too much, both of which go against the R8’s mission as a top-tier exotic car. And there are corporate considerations, too. Just as Porsche doesn’t want the Cayman out-whooping the 911, Audi wants to keep the base R8 comfortably below the V-10 model (which, of course, must stay a few ticks behind the Huracán). That means the RS7’s mighty 560-hp V-8—even if it did show up—would be muzzled enough to render any power advantage over the current V-8 moot. The R8’s 5.2-liter V-10 will return with another modest ratings bump.

To paraphrase our source: Optimizing fuel economy and lowering emissions are key metrics for other Audis such as the RS4, but they’re not what the R8 is all about. Somebody tap a mini keg of Warsteiner, we’re in celebratory tears.

The everyday supercar returns with sportier styling & upgraded engines

The 2015 Audi R8 has been spied for the first time.

Caught undergoing testing on the Nürburgring, the redesigned model is instantly recognizable but adopts sportier styling. The prototype is heavily camouflaged but we can see an aggressive front fascia with a prominent grille that is flanked by angular headlights and massive air intakes. Moving further back, there's distinctive sideblades, muscular rear fenders and an active rear spoiler. The model also has slender taillights, an aggressive rear diffuser and a four-tailpipe exhaust system.

The entry-level model is expected to use an updated 4.2-liter V8 engine that develops more than 430 HP (316 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. We can also expect an improved 5.2-liter V10 engine that cranks out more than 525 HP (386 kW) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque. Both engines are expected to be connected to a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system.

The R8 was scheduled to go into production in mid-2014 but several changes have reportedly pushed the launch back until early next year.

You’re looking at the first spy shots of a prototype for the second-generation Audi R8. The car has been developed alongside the new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4, with which it shares a platform, though its release is still about a year away, which means we’re likely to see it list as a 2016 model.

The spy shots confirm Audi is taking an evolutionary approach with the styling of its new R8. The shots also reveal that Audi’s horizontal themes first shown on the 2016 TT will feature on the 2016 R8. Wider and flatter lights are fitted at both ends, and are joined by a more rigid hexagonal grille up front and rectangular exhaust tips at the rear. We can also see the car is getting a massive diffuser tucked into the rear bumper.

Despite sharing a platform with the Huracán, the 2016 R8 will be slightly wider and longer than the Lambo. Not only will this mean a more spacious cabin, but the ride comfort should be better too--the Huracán has been designed as the more hardcore option, with the Audi positioned as the everyday supercar.

The platform in question is a heavily revised version of the current R8’s aluminum structure. The use of carbon fiber in key areas, however, means the new R8 will be significantly stiffer than the current one, and lighter too. Some versions of the 2016 R8 may be as much as 130 pounds lighter than the current car. The latest 2014 Audi R8 V8 model weighs in at 3,439 pounds, so the redesigned version may end up weighing as little as 3,300 pounds.

Power will come from revised versions of the naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10 engines fitted to the current R8. This means a 4.2-liter V-8 unit in the base car and a 5.2-liter V-10 in the range-topper. The latter is the same engine fitted to the Huracán, though the new V-10-powered R8 will likely have its output capped below the 601 horsepower of the Lambo.

Sadly, the 2016 R8 is no longer expected to offer a conventional manual transmission. Instead, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission will be standard. Other interior features should include a fully digital instrument cluster, a driver-focused dash design, and leather and Alcantara trim.

Audi has confirmed that the second-generation R8 body will be used for its production R8 e-tron, which will be produced on request starting from next year. Thanks to improvements in battery technology, the range of the car should be about 280 miles. Further down the track, the second-generation R8 will also feature a downsized turbo engine, though this option isn’t expected to be available in the U.S.

Production of the 2016 R8 will take place at Audi’s new Böllinger Höfe plant in Neckarsulm, Germany. A reveal may take place as early as the 2014 Paris Auto Show in October, the same show where the original R8 was revealed eight years ago.

Armed with a host of spy shots, plenty of recent Audi concepts previewing the brand's styling direction and above all, the knowledge that Ingolstadt has no intention of abandoning a well-received formula, Carscoops reader and aspiring digital artist Damian Sebastian pulled out his PS guns and crafted his vision of the next generation R8 coupe.

Among other highlights, is the application of sharper lines throughout the body, a lower placed and meaner looking front end with hints of Audi's Sport Quattro Concept and the use of a blacked out A-pillar, all while keeping the R8's familiar silhouette and signature side blade elements.

As far as what will reside under Audi's reimagined costume, all you have to do is look inside the Volkswagen Group and specifically, the new Lamborghini Huracan, as the two models share a common architecture (named 'MSS'). with the R8 to also offer the option of a base V8 engine in addition to the V10 variants.

Promises to be lighter and more powerful than its predecessor

Development work continues on the 2015 Audi R8 as our spies have caught the model undergoing testing on the Nürburgring.

Dressed in swirly camouflage, the sports car has a familiar design but adopts an aggressive front fascia with a prominent grille and larger air intakes. The car has also been equipped with distinctive side blades and an active rear spoiler which is getting plenty of use. Bigger changes occur out back as the model appears to have slender taillights and an aggressive rear diffuser that is flanked by a four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Audi has remain coy about technical specifics but the entry-level model is expected to have a 4.2-liter V8 engine that develops more than 430 HP (316 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. We can also expect an upgraded 5.2-liter V10 that produces more than 525 HP (386 kW) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque. Both will likely be connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system.

Regardless of the final numbers, the 2015 R8 should be quicker than its predecessor as Audi's head of technical development, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, has previously suggested the model will be 110 - 130 lbs (50 - 59 kg) lighter than the outgoing model.

We're about a year or so away from the debut of the next Audi R8, which means that we're going to see a whole lot more of the German supercar, both in terms of how much camouflage will be used and the number of cars out in the field.

In this installment, we have video footage of an R8 prototype roaming in and around the Nürburgring circuit.

It provides us with our first audio sample of the car, which is believed to use enhanced iterations of the current V8 and V10 naturally aspirated engines, with Audi also investigating the possibility of adding a turbocharged unit later on in the car's life cycle.

A quattro system is a given, as is the availability of a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, but we're still in the dark on whether Audi will continue to offer a stick shift.

Do you think you can tell what engine is used on this specific tester?

Can’t get enough low-slung German sexiness? AutoGuide.com’s spy photographers just snapped even more pictures of the next generation Audi R8 undergoing testing.

The car is neatly dressed in black, instead of swirly zebra stripes photographed previously. It’s now possible to make out some of the car’s features, although it looks like it’s been wrapped in electrical tape in some areas.

This 2016 model is expected to share the same bones as the Lamborghini Huracán, a structure made from carbon fiber and aluminum that promises to be hundreds of pounds lighter than today’s version of the R8.

Power is expected to come from a standard twin-turbocharged V8 or an optional 5.2-liter V10. All-wheel drive will of course be part of the package, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will handle shifting. It’s unknown whether a manual gearbox will be offered.

Caught testing alongside the R18 e-tron quattro,

We've already seen the 2015 Audi R8 on numerous occasions but YouTube's digitalmoviedv2 has caught a high-performance model undergoing testing on the Monza Circuit.

Spied alongside the R18 e-tron quattro, the mysterious prototype has an aggressive front bumper, a ventilated hood and a massive rear wing. We can also see aerodynamic mirrors, revised side skirts and a single windshield wiper. Last but not least, there's a ventilated rear fascia and a prominent rear diffuser.

There's no word on what powers the car but its sounds absolutely fantastic regardless of the final specifications.

We're not entirely sure what the prototype is but it's likely a racing variant as it shares a number of styling cues with models like the R8 LMS ultra.

It's pretty evident by now that Audi sanctioned an evolutionary design theme for the exterior of the second generation R8, but we had a hunch that the interior would follow in the footsteps of the new TT adopting a fresh approach and these first shots of the dashboard seem to confirm this, at least for the instrument panel.

Housed inside a boxy, leather-covered binnacle is the new reconfigurable, digital monitor, which should be similar in philosophy to the TT's interface, incorporating both gauges and the display for the MMI infotainment system. We also get a quick glimpse of the round steering wheel hub and aluminum-trimmed air vents.

Under the familiar looking (but sharpened up) body panels, the R8 shares its mid-engine platform with the Lamborghini Huracan, albeit with a longer wheelbase and wider tracks. It will use many aluminum components to save weight, with some sources saying that it could shed well over 100 pounds (45 kg) compared to the current model.

When it enters the market next year, it should stick with the same naturally-aspirated V8 and V10 engines offered on the first generation model, with some tweaks to improve performance and fuel economy, but later down the line, it could get Audi's twin-turbocharged V8. All-wheel drive will be standard, of course, paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. A manual gearbox may be offered too.

Besides the coupe, Audi will introduce a soft-top Spider version.