New Audi R8 supercar in development

Development is well underway on the second-generation Audi R8 supercar, the new R8 is due to launch next year, and is the sister car to the new Lamborghini Huracán, which made its motor show debut in Geneva recently.

While this test mule is wearing heavy camouflage, new details including different front air intakes with a smaller front grille shape can be seen, alongside new headlight clusters. The rear profile of the R8 appears wider than the current model, with new exhausts and a large diffuser.

Audi bosses have already confirmed the new R8 follows the "same general layout" as the new Lamborghini, but includes wider tracks and a longer wheelbase. Like the Huracán, the new R8 will get an innovative new rear firewall and central tunnel made from a single carbon-fibre moulding, which weighs as little as 50kg. Like today's car, the rest of the R8's components will be made from aluminium, to save weight. That same structure will also be adapted for the recently confirmed Audi R8 e-tron.

Power for the new car will come in the form of carried over V8 and V10 engines, with the latter powerplant closely related to the 5.2-litre unit found in the Huracán. Like the new Lamborghini, the R8 will be available in all-wheel drive only and will be offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox.

Audi's technical boss Ulrich Hackengerg has hinted at better handling for the second-generation supercar, saying, "The suspension layout and geometry is different, so we can tune different characteristics."

However, the new R8 could also get the option of smaller-capacity turbocharged engines later in its life cycle. Hackenberg has admitted the R8 "will need a turbocharged engine" at some point, saying "In some countries, you need to reduce the capacity of engines also and we need to find solutions for those markets. So we're looking at smaller engines, yes".