A BE-SPOILERED AUDI R8 5.2 FSI prototype has been spotted circuiting the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in Germany, sparking speculation that the automaker is preparing a stripped-out, performance focused variant of its mid-engined supercar.

The prototype sports a fixed rear wing, additional venting in the front bumper and a set of front canards. A pair of bonnet latches and a stripped interior also feature on the V10-powered prototype, however these may not transfer to a road-going model.

Audi’s head of quattro development Stefan Reil recently said that the company is evaluating the idea of lightweight versions of the R8 and TT.

An enthusiast-targeted TT quattro Sport was released in 2005 and featured racing-style seats, a stripped interior and firmer suspension, and an R8 Sport could very well employ the same tactic.

Fixed-back bucket seats and the removal of the stereo and airconditioning would bring a modest reduction in weight, and power would likely not change much from the V10’s standard 386kW output.

GALLERY » Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 'Sport' Test Mule