2015 Audi R8 spied with less camouflage

The car was spotted wearing a black and white swirly wrap at the infamous German track in late March, and now CarAdvice's spy photographers have caught the 2015 Audi R8 wearing minimal camouflage in a move that reveals a number of elements about the styling of the car.

There is still some body cladding disguising the finer details, but it is clear the new R8 will feature a prominent grille, sharply styled headlights and large front air intakes. Indeed, it appears the R8 will mirror many elements of the eye-catching nose treatment applied to Audi's new TT coupe.

In profile the new model clearly mimics its predecessor's signature shape including the upright engine intake bands behind the doors. The rear features sharp-edged rectangular LED tail-lights above larger outlets and an aggressively styled rear diffuser with twin exhausts. The car's thin pop-up spoiler is deployed, and the heavy cladding covering the rear section suggests a dramatically styled centre section.

The new mid-engined R8 will shed weight by sharing its carbonfibre-infused platform with the Lamborghini Huracan that debuted in Geneva in March. However, the R8 will sit wider on the road, with broadened front and rear tracks and a longer wheelbase than the Lambo.

The occupant cell, floor, centre tunnel, sills, rear bulkhead and B-pillars of the new chassis are constructed from carbonfibre-reinforced polymer, while lightweight aluminium will be used in the front and rear sections of the car and its axle mounts.

The second-gen R8 will carry over the same 4.2-litre V8 and 5.2-litre V10 engines which will be boosted for extra power. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to distribute power to all four wheels.

The new model is expected to debut at the Paris motor show in September, with local sales tipped for 2015.

Stay tuned for more news on the Audi R8 as it comes to hand.

See more images of the 2015 Audi R8 by clicking the Photos tab above.