It's been less than a month since the 2016 Audi R8 was caught testing at the Nurburgring, and the redesigned sports car->ke506 returned to the "Green Hell" for more performance adjustments.

Fortunately, our skilled spy photographers were on duty when the vehicle hit the course and provided us with the most revealing spy shots->ke166 of the upcoming R8 yet.

The Germans finally ditched most of the camouflage and, although the signature front grille isn't out in the open, it's clear as day that the next-generation model won't stray too much from the current R8->ke1440 in terms of styling.

Up front, both the headlamps and the grille appear to be smaller than before, while the hood features a smoother surface with less muscular lines toward the sides. Around back, the new, slimmer LED taillights are joined by redesigned vents. Below there's a new diffuser flanked by wide, rectangular exhaust pipes. The latter are now mounted lower than the old, rounded ones.

Although the silhouette of the car remains basically the same, Audi->ke14 managed to make the new R8 look flatter and a little bit wider. We won't get confirmation until the sports car->ke506 is properly revealed, but, if this proves to be true, the 2016 R8 will deliver vastly improved performances on the track.

Updated 04/09/2014: If you really like how the next R8 looks in black, we've just added a new set of images for you.

Click past the jump to read more about the Audi R8.

Spy Shots

As we've previously mentioned, the new R8 will share underpinning with the new Lamborghini Huracan and is expected to be at least 100 pounds lighter than the current model, which weighs nearly 3,500 pounds.

Both the 4.2-liter V-8 and the 5.2-liter V-10 engines are being carried over with the mandatory power upgrades and fuel consumption-related improvements. Same goes for the transmissions, which means the 2016 R8 will be sold with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG.

Audi R8

Launched in 2006, the Audi R8 crossed to Pond to the United States in 2008. A facelift for the 2013 model year included a new single-frame grille, standard LED headlamps, a new seven-speed S tronic gearbox, as well as a few interior updates.

The first-gen Audi R8 spawned numerous special editions and race versions, including the TDI Le Mans, R8 LMS, R8 GT, R8 Grand-Am, as well as the e-tron prototype.