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Audi to make new R4 to compete with Porsche Boxter?
The Audi brand is in full-blown growth mode right now, with newer products like the Q7 and A3 soon to be joined by the A5 and R8, and Audi promises that 22 new products in total are on the way. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated product of all is the forthcoming R8, which has garnered lots of attention from news media and enthusiasts alike. Since Audi's supercar has been well-received, why not add a smaller Boxster-fighter to keep the good vibes going?
We've already told you about speculation that Audi was cooking up an R4 for 2009 or 2010, and now South Africa's topCar magazine is giving us more gas for the flame. We like Audi's 2.0L FSI turbo four, but at 270 hp, powering a 2,500-2800lb car, we'd like it even more. topCar reports that an all-new platform is being designed for the R4, with a steel spaceframe and plastic and aluminum body panels. Of course, a more sporty RS4 is rumored to be on the way as well, which could be powered by a 2.5L inline five with 350 hp.
It seems like everything under the sun is scheduled to appear in 2009 and 2010, and if even half of it comes to fruition, we'll be some busy bloggers. We hope the R4 is among the projects that makes the cut.
[Source: Wheels24 via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt 10:23AM (4/26/2007)
There's an 's' in Boxster. *Sigh* Journalism at its finest, eh Autoblog?
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srivendel 10:29AM (4/26/2007)
That is the best looking Audi I've ever seen. The new TT, R8, and A5 were steps in the right direction, but that thing is sex on wheels. It would certainly put Porsche's dowdy little Boxster in the corner stylistically. Now Audi needs to continue to hone the performance of its cars as well.
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nagmashot 10:33AM (4/26/2007)
welcome to last year.... that pic is from Germany´s Autobild 42/2006 not topcar... the pic is drawn by Autobilds drawer Huckfeld..the copyright is in the hand of Autobild.
I am more looking forward to this one... reborn of the real TT... the NSU TT ... named NSU TTR ...1000kg with 150hp midengine 2 seater...
http://media.autobild.de/bild/E/66437c45f4d175551f6563f3059fb6be_1.jpg
successor of the famous Isle of Man winning car (winner of it´s class!)
http://media.autobild.de/bild/4/59a5aa7d31f0a457cbb1381c1c40cd74_1.jpg
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Bob-o 10:38AM (4/26/2007)
A performance Audi that is less than 3500 lbs? I'll believe it when I see it.
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RanMac 10:49AM (4/26/2007)
Is it me or does it look like a Mazda RX-8???
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ArchAngel 10:58AM (4/26/2007)
Let's hope the fact that Porsche buying VW will not affect the production of this car. After the R8, now the R4, Audi seems to be clearly competing against Porsche. Porsche's lower end by Audi, the higher by Lambo.
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rem83 10:59AM (4/26/2007)
Ok, maybe I missed something, but isn't Audi part of VW? Doesn't Porsche own a large part of VW now? Isn't this the kind of intra-brand competition that even the Big 2.5 are trying to stay away from?
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bgdc 11:18AM (4/26/2007)
How can audi fit this in amongst the tt and RS4/RS6, etc.?
They're adding too many niche cars.
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bgdc 11:18AM (4/26/2007)
rem83, yes Porsche owns a big chunk of VW, who in turn bought Audi from MB back in the 60s.
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Roman van Alten 11:22AM (4/26/2007)
Porsche would not let that happen.
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Hung2 11:31AM (4/26/2007)
Will the R4 come complete with the "burn up on the track" option, just like the R8?
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avixe 11:55AM (4/26/2007)
#4,
The R8 is 3439 lbs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(road_car)
The AWD, V6 TT is 3152 lbs.
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/audi_tt.asp
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Bill 12:02PM (4/26/2007)
Hmm... Something is missing here. Audi's curret model RS4 makes 420bhp and is a sedan. An R4, if one were to be built, would have to generate more than 420bhp and retain the sedan status in order to be considered a "4" model.
What you are picturing and describing here looks more like an R3 or an RS3 or a TTR or a photoshop which won't ever be built...
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nagmashot 12:03PM (4/26/2007)
# 12 yes like the Z06, Ferrari, Skyline ... but they don´t need to hit the race track to catch fire they burn in normal traffic..
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Brian 12:04PM (4/26/2007)
#6 I think it's just you, that Audi is beautiful.
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Quattrofan 12:06PM (4/26/2007)
Pipe dream. Porsche will kill this thing before you can say Guten Tag.
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Lee Gibson 12:12PM (4/26/2007)
RanMac, it's not just you. There's a big helping of RX-8 in that nose.
I think it does look good, though.
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Baapo 12:22PM (4/26/2007)
Porsche has probably put the entire project through the shredder already...
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Toy Yoda 12:21PM (4/26/2007)
Steel spaceframe... I thought Audi is pushing to use Aluminum?
Anyways, I hope it gets built. Looks really nice. The argument that Porsche is going to kill it seems like the same argument why the Audi R8 would not be built, but the R8 was built.
A "cheap" mid-engine car is missing from Audi's lineup, and this would be a great fill-in. I'm guessing that it will be built.
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JayP 12:25PM (4/26/2007)
Turbo 5, quattro... That'll be interesting.
But I'll believe it when I see it.
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