Brand new Audi R8 - photos and technical details

These are the first official pictures of the new Audi R8 supercar that will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Although styling changes are modest - it is instantly recognisable as an R8 - it promises huge improvements over the old car.

The 2015 Audi R8 shares many parts with the Lamborghini Huracan and is constructed from a combination of aluminium and carbon fibre which is both strong and light.

At launch, the new R8 will come with a choice of two V10 engines – the standard 533bhp unit or a more powerful 602bhp version in the Audi R8 V10 Plus. Coupled to this is a seven-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. The result is a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. With maximum torque available at 6,500rpm, the R8 is certainly a high-revving car and is a fine example of natural aspiration. An all-electric Audi R8 e-tron model will appear alongside both V10 models at the Geneva Motor Show.

Weighing in at 1,454kg, it's lighter than the incumbent R8. The S tronic transmission adapts to the driving conditions, sending torque around the car as the journey demands. It's capable of sending all the power to the front or rear axle respectively (though this is unlikely to be helpful in practise).

The new R8 features Audi's distinctive nose with fierce-looking headlights, which as an option can feature lasers to achieve greater illumination. The system was first used on Audi's Le Mans race car – another example of Audi applying racing technology for use on the road. The most distinctive element of the new Audi R8 might be its noise. A drive of a prototype recently revealed the V10 engine can be heard from several streets away, and can even be adjusted based on how you’re feeling. These settings are controlled using the car’s 12.3-inch touchscreen, which also controls the driving modes – clever adjustments that set the steering weight, accelerator response and suspension stiffness to suit different roads and driving conditions. The new R8 is surprisingly practical for a supercar, too. With 104 litres of boot space, plus a handy 120-litre luggage compartment just behind the seats, R8 owners should have enough storage space for a quick shop or a weekend away. But all of this comes at a high price – if you want to buy an R8 when it comes on sale this summer, you're looking at 165,000 euros for the basic V10 or 187,400 euros for the V10 plus.