First it was Mercedes Benz who announced that they would be producing an electric version for the SLS AMG super car. Despite earlier reports, it is now time for the competition to make their move: Audi has announced that the R8->ke1440 Eperformance electric sports car will make a Frankfurt debut. However we won't see the production version in showrooms until 2015.

Unlike its gas burning brothers the electrified R8 will not be powered by either an exotic V8 or a high revving V10. Instead it will be a large electric motor and quite a bit of batteries, as the ePerformance name suggests.

Just like the power train, the exterior design will also be different than the standard R8, for example the signature side blades and huge air inlets will be reduced or completely eliminated as they are unnecessary for an electric vehicle, the front grille will disappear as well. However it's the deep air intakes in the front bumper underneath the while LED headlamps that will set this particular R8 apart from the standard model. Audi will also bring the long waited R8 Roadster to the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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