Electric cars will never be the same. Audi is almost ready to launch its assault on the electric performance car market, and this is the model it's going to use. We drove a previous Audi R8 e-tron prototype in 2010 (and you can read that review here) but that car has been thoroughly overhauled, and the version you see here is almost ready for production.

We spoke to one of the engineers working on the project, who told us: "The car will enter small series production at the end of 2012, the car here is virtually finished technically, but the designers have big plans for its looks. You will still be able to tell it's based on the R8, but it will be completely unique."

He continued, "The interior will be completely new and an all-new body structure had to be developed to accomodate the electric motors and batteries. The bodywork will be made from carbon-fibre and CFRP to keep weight down to a minimum."