Audi has released a new set of images showing how the electric version of the R8 will look like, once it hits the showroom floor in Geneva later today.

Yes, these photos are clearly processed but they are official. The electric R8 will have a combined output of 462PS and 920Nm (679lb.ft) of torque from two electric motors, with Audi claiming a 3.9 sec time for the 0-62mph. The range is now 450km (280 miles), which is more than double that of the original (215km – 133miles). With something called the Combined Charging System (CCS), Audi claims that the time to fully charge the battery is now less than two hours.

Audi made some targeted modifications to the exterior of the R8, in order to make it more slippery and efficient. Combined with the special wheels, the R8 e-tron now scores an aerodynamic drag coefficient (cd) value of 0.28. The battery capacity has grown from 49kWh to approximately 92kWh with the T-shaped battery to be structurally integrated into the centre tunnel and behind the occupant cell, keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible.

The second generation of Audi’s electric supercar might go for sale with Audi saying that it will use the R8 e-tron as a ‘mobile high-tech laboratory’. In the press release Audi says “the findings from the R8 e-tron help in creating a vehicle with a sedan character”, confirming their intentions of building a rival against Tesla and the upcoming BMW i5.

Audi says that the R8 e-tron will be hand built upon customer request and will be available for order sometime in 2015.

Since Audi released an all-new R8 production car, it was only natural that the racing version got updated as well. Meet the Audi R8 LMS, a race car that already meets the new GT3 regulations to be introduced in 2016.

Lighter and safer than before, the new R8 LMS features more race car technology and improved aerodynamics. Developed and built by Quattro GmbH, the new Audi R8 LMS is 25 kg lighter than its predecessor, despite additional weight resulting from safety features.

Audi says the new Audi R8 LMS surpasses the safety requirements of the GT3 regulations to be introduced in 2016 thanks to a modified structure of the front end and a CFRP crash element at the rear that is being used for the first time in a GT3 race car. As a matter of fact, the R8 LMS meets the crash test requirements that apply to the much lighter Le Mans prototypes (LMP) such as the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

Tipping the scales at 1,225 kg, the car features an intelligent material mix of aluminum in the Audi Space Frame (ASF), a structural CFRP component and a steel roll cage, all of which make the chassis about 30 kg lighter. At the same time, the torsional stiffness of the stressed frame has increased by 39 percent.

Power comes from a modified version of the 5.2-liter V10 engine from the production car which produces 585PS (577hp) and is mated to a completely new six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters.

In terms of aerodynamics, the new Audi R8 LMS gets a fully lined underfloor and a conceptually integrated rear diffusor, which allows for the reduction of the dimensions of the rear wing. The wheel wells, which are open rearwards via a larger cross-section, contribute to improved airflow as well. Audi says the airflow rate and cooling area of the radiator at the front have increased by 10 percent to handle maximum outside air temperatures.

The new model will have its racing debut at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring (May 16-17) and at Spa (July 25-26). Quattro GmbH will begin taking customer orders in the second half of the year, with first deliveries expected by the end of 2015.

Not one, but three different Audi R8s made their world premiere today at the Geneva Motor Show, including the regular V10s, the battery-powered E-Tron and the LMS racer.

You'll be forgiven to think that Audi pulled a simple Porsche 911 update on us with the new generation R8, and while that may hold true in regards to the…familiar exterior styling, the firm's technical development boss Ulrich Hackenberg swears that every component of the car has been either upgraded or newly designed.

At launch, engine options include the base 5.2-liter V10 producing 540PS (533hp), the 5.2-liter V10 Plus with 610PS (602hp) and later on, in limited volumes for select markets, the all-electric E-Tron with 462PS (456hp) and 920Nm (679lb.ft) of torque from two electric motors.

The E-Tron might be the most futuristic model in the R8 range, but when it comes to purposeful looks, our vote goes to the new R8 LMS which complies with the 2016 GT3 regulations.

The R8 is back and all new. Audi’s released details of the second generation R8 - boasting V10 power and top speeds in excess of 200mph, the German supercar has got Italy square in its sights. We look at the new car and where it came from.

He also indicated that the take rate for the eight-cylinder was low and that interest in the "iconic" V-10 far outstripped expectations in the first-gen car.

At launch, engine options include the base 5.2-liter V10 producing 540PS (533hp), the 5.2-liter V10 Plus with 610PS (602hp) and later on, in limited volumes for select markets, the all-electric E-Tron with 462PS (456hp) and 920Nm (679lb.ft) of torque from two electric motors.