Though the new R8 will be apparently be joining the amazing array of hot metal debuting at Geneva in a couple of weeks, Audi has been relatively quiet about its second-gen supercar. Expect a bit more noise here on PH later this week to put that right but, as is the way, every big launch must be preceded by a teaser campaign. And this condensed one for the new R8 starts with the headlights.
Laser/LED lights, as fitted to the outgoing R8 LMX
Which are actually quite interesting, not least for the fact they've got lasers in them. Or will have if you tick the upgrade box from the already impressive standard LED items.
Introduced on the R18 E-Tron Quattro at Le Mans last year, and featured for the first time on a road car in the limited edition run-out R8 LMX, these use "high intensity laser diodes" for the high-beam. Audi claims almost twice the lighting range of even LED lights, equating to 500m in the case of the Le Mans car. Paired with the existing Matrix LED lights that can peer around oncoming cars and obstructions and pre-empt curves by 'reading' the road via the navigation system the technology is a huge step up, one even Luddites like us can appreciate.
What can we tell about the new R8 from the supplied image though? Well, even though it's just coyly peeking out from under a sheet it's obvious enough that Audi won't be doing anything too radical with the basic shape and proportions. What, you were expecting revolution?
Double the 'range' of LEDs claims Audi
Underneath we know it shares the Modular Sportscar System (MSS) 'hybrid'
aluminium/carbon tub
Lamborghini Huracan
, the mainly aluminium spaceframe using carbon fibre for the rear bulkhead and other structural parts. Audi claims this as the best compromise in terms of weight, stiffness and cost, this a halfway house between McLaren's all-carbon philosophy and Ferrari, which has previously stated it is sticking with aluminium for all but its LaFerrari level flagship models.
Engine-wise we'll have to see but if not at launch expect some manner of hybridisation for the new R8 somewhere along the line. Watch this space for more.