Spied: 2009 Audi R8 V10 resumes testing

Six months after an R8 V10 prototype caught fire and was completely destroyed, it appears as though Audi is working through the problem and has begun testing a new V10-powered prototype. This time around Audi has equipped the tester with an electronically operated fire-extinguishing system–the E-Sticker and the 2 red buttons of the system can clearly be seen near the driver’s side mirror. Apart from its color and lack of badging, the R8 prototype isn’t hidden by any camouflaged, giving a good indication of what the final car will look like.

More air will be fed to the ten-cylinder through larger side scoops, which jut out sharply from the body-side, adding a more aggressive stance to go with its increased power. The lower side sill also gets an extra flare which runs along the wheelbase, adding further visual cues that this is the true uber-Audi. The changes are subtle enough to be obvious only to those in-the-know, thus keeping the R8′s clean lines as uncluttered as possible.

Some reports speculate that the new engine could also bring about a name adjustment–upgrading the R8 moniker to R10–but nothing has been announced officially. There has also been speculation about Audi using the "RS8" badge, but this seems highly unlikely due to the confusion it would create with respect to the A8 and S8 lines. What’s more, calling the vehicle RS8 would prevent Audi from creating a more powerful version of the S8 at some point in time. The most likely names, therefore, are R10 and or R8 S–similar to TT S.

The R8 V10 should hit dealer showrooms sometime next year with output in the 500 horsepower range. Audi has yet to confirm if the R8 will use the same twin-turbo V10 used in the RS6–which is rated at 580 horsepower–or a naturally aspirated setup similar to that found in the Lamborghini Gallardo. The most likely scenario is the R8 V10 will come in right around 500 horsepower, and the Gallardo will be bumped to 550 hp or more. More photos at Left Lane News.