During the 2014 Paris Motor Show, guys from Car Magazine UK cornered Audi’s R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg and using advanced journalistic methods made him disclose fresh information on the next-gen Audi R8, due in 2015.

According to Ulrich, the new Audi R8 will be initially launched with uprated versions of the existing V8 and V10 engines. Audi is also discontinuing the manual gearbox version simply because they don’t sell very well. The only available transmission option for the 2015 model will be a dual-clutch automatic.

Later on, the long awaited Audi R8 e-tron electric super car will finally be launched, boasting a range of around 400km (250 miles). Also, as it turned out, the Lamborghini Asterion was more a preview of the forthcoming Audi R8 Hybrid than a possible new model for the Italian brand. As Ulrich revealed, their R8 Hybrid will be getting a version of Asterion’s V10+electric motor system. Do not expect a power output of 910hp, though.

2015 Audi R8 will first arrive as a Coupe, with a Spider to follow in a year or so. Visually, the car’s profile will remain loyal to the existing model, but it will trade most of its curves with sharper, sportier angles.

Via CarMagazine