Autoblog

VW Bluesport Roadster might finally be dead before it lived

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Volkswagen

A Black Knight stalks the ramparts of corporate castles, he carries a shield decorated with a wreath of beans, he swings a double-edged spreadsheet and he rides a terrifying black mare called The Bottom Line. His name is The Business Case and if a new report from Autocar is accurate, he's done his foul work again, this time dealing another blow to the already-long-delayed Volkswagen Bluesport Roadster. Even though the engineering work for the two-seater convertible is reportedly finished, it appears no one can come up with a way to support the necessary sales projections of 50,000 units annually.

That is in part because Jonathan Browning, head of VW USA, apparently doesn't see the point of expanding VW's product portfolio with another model (a truly unexpected sentiment coming from Volkswagen as far as we're concerned). The U.S. being the largest consumer of sports cars, our sitting this one out puts the 2009 Detroit Auto Show showcar in a tough spot.

Synergies being what they are, that also puts Bluesport's brand brothers from Audi and Porsche in doubt. Audi plans for an R4 will apparently get iced in light of the news, but Porsche might have dodged a bullet: it wanted a four-cylinder 550-successor, but not one that would eat into Boxster sales, which this car almost certainly would. The Bluesport isn't officially dead yet, but at three years in and counting, you can be sure there's a hand on the life-support plug.

VW Bluesport Roadster might finally be dead before it lived originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video]

Matt Davis — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Audi, Design/Style, Electric, Diesel, Quick Spins

Driving Audi's Futurethink Diesel-Electric Roadster

At last September's Paris Motor Show, we were thrilled to see this very concept car, the Audi e-tron Spyder. The crisp lines of its carbon composite exterior, its tapering side windows, its airflow vents cut in the hood, its almost impossibly clean and sleek interior treatment... all of it spoke strongly without trying too hard.

After the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show debut of the R8-based all-electric e-tron, we then got the surprise of seeing an even smaller one - also called "e-tron" (perhaps to confuse and/or not give too much away regarding the design's important future) at last January's Detroit Auto Show. This second electric car, a hardtop, carried two electric motors pushing the rear wheels (versus the four motors of the R8 e-tron's all-wheel drive, an ongoing programming challenge referred to within Audi as e-Quattro).

The e-tron Spyder, however, is not just a roofless version of that stunning Detroit e-tron coupe, as the model we're driving here comes with an all-new plug-in diesel hybrid-electric drivetrain, and it's 5.1 inches longer with more wheelbase, along with being 1.2 inches wider. On the other hand, the current Audi TT is 4.7 inches longer than the e-tron Spyder, so we're still operating on a very small scale here.

Our time in the driver's seat of the e-tron Spyder was originally set for right after June's 24-Hours of Le Mans, where the car successfully completed a parade lap for the almighty marketing department's sake. Sadly, right as they were loading the car onto a transporter to get it on a plane and out here to SoCal, an incident occurred that left one of the rocker panels of the Spyder pretty beat up. Now that the summer holiday and big Frankfurt show push is done, we've been given another go.

Continue reading 2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video]

2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Group's roadster program coming into focus

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Volkswagen BlueSport roadster concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

These days, an auto giant like the Volkswagen Group can hardly justify a new platform unless it can amortize the cost across numerous variants. Fortunately, VW has enough brands in its portfolio to do exactly that.

Just as the same platform underpins the Volkswagen Polo, Audi A1, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza (none of which, of course, are available in North America), and another underpins the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, so will the company's next mid-engine roadster platform be distributed into numerous models across the corporate tree. The project has been several years in the making, but as development speeds towards production, Autocar has some details on what to expect.

The platform is expected to breed a production version of the above-pictured Volkswagen BlueSport that started it all a couple of years ago, as well as an Audi R4 and Porsche 550 revival. While both the Audi and Porsche are expected to offer 2.0-liter turbo fours, the engines are tipped to be entirely different: an inline for the Audi and a flat-four boxer for the Porsche. The R4 is rumored to get a diesel powerplant as well, while the VW is expected to start with a 1.4-liter turbo four. Output for the different versions is expected to range from 170 to 380 horsepower.

Power isn't all that will separate one model from the other, however. The styling, for one, is expected to take different directions, the Volkswagen fitting into that brands straight-edge styling language, the R4 taking its sharp cues from the e-tron concept and the Porsche taking a more rounded, retro approach reminiscent of the 550 Spyder of yore.

Pricing and market position will also define one model as distinct from another, the Volkswagen targeting the Mazda MX-5, the Audi taking the place that BMW's Z3 once held (and could once again), with the Porsche taking top position just under the next-generation Boxster. In other words, no lack of choices, and all of them with the wind auf dein kopf.

Volkswagen Group's roadster program coming into focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi cancels R4, delays A2

Zach Bowman — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Audi, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Diesel

Audi e-Tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors are kicking around the interwebs that Audi has outright axed the delicious R4. The vehicle was intended to drop into the company's model line just below the TT, borrow more than a few styling cues from the luscious e-tron Detroit Concept and get its power from a range of efficient and powerful diesel engines. If that sounds good enough to bring a tear to your eye, get ready for some real waterworks. According to reports, the model has been canned because it would step on too many familial toes. In addition to robbing sales from the TT, Audi is worried that Porsche Boxster and Cayenne sales may see a hit, as well.

In addition, the R4 platform-mate, the Volkswagen BlueSport has also been scrapped due to cost concerns.

If that's not enough of a beating for your, Audi has one last kick in the ribs to share: the A2 resurrection has also been delayed until at least 2016. The reason? The German automaker doesn't want to have to shell out for a unique chassis for the vehicle and instead wants to find a suitable sister model to help spread the cost around.

Still, these reports come from various murky sources. Audi has yet to say word one about either the R4 or the A2.

Audi cancels R4, delays A2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi R4 up close and in camo

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Etc., Audi, Design/Style

That mysterious Audi coupe we saw in grainy video form is slowly becoming more clear. The above photo shows off some of the styling lines, even though the curly-Q camo is trying hard to hide them. Originally, the internet was abuzz with word that this vehicle could be related to Audi's all-electric e-tron. Now, however, many are now backing away from that thinking - the large brakes, sporty wheels and shining tailpipes suggest otherwise. This could very likely be an R4 coupe or cabrio prototype basking in the Austrian sun, getting ready for a reverse ski-jump workout and laughing at our attempts to figure out what it is.

Our friends at GermanCarBlog may have a better idea as to exactly what's going on here. They believe this is not the e-tron, not the R4 coupe or cabrio, but the S5-based Audi Anniversario project. That's right folks, we may be staring at a long-awaited update to the beloved Ur-Quattro.

What exactly is sitting under the Van Gogh-esque wrap job remains to be seen. In the meantime, our eyes will remain glued to the 'tubes until we learn more.

[Source: R4um, GermanCarBlog]

Spy Shots: Audi R4 up close and in camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mystery Audi coupe spied on ski slopes

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Mysterious Audi coupe - Click above to watch video after the jump

Here's what we know: Audi was doing something with a disguised and coupe (or cabrio) somewhere in Tyrolean Alps. Here's what we don't know: the precise nature of Audi's activities nor the precise identity of the coupe. It has been surmised that it could be a more production-ready evolution of the Audi e-Tron Concept/R4 shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but a better guess might be a convertible version of the same concept.

Going through the five clips taken by an unknown and rather unsteady videocamera holder, that guess appears plausible. The lines look about the same, and an R4 Spyder was rendered as long as 18 months ago, and the R4 coupe is reportedly coming in 2013 to fill shoes below the TT. Or, knowing Audi, it could be any number of brand new things. We just hope it comes to the Paris Motor Show next month. So don your Zapruder-film glasses, have a look at the videos after the jump and tell us what you spy with your little eyes.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading Video: Mystery Audi coupe spied on ski slopes

Video: Mystery Audi coupe spied on ski slopes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi R4 to launch in 2013, slotted below the TT

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Audi

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors have floating around for years that Audi has been planning to develop a small entry-level, mid-engine sports car, and Auto Motor und Sport is now claiming the so-called R4 will debut in 2013. The R4 is expected to be based on Audi's second e-tron concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show last January although it will use internal combustion power instead of the electric drive of the concept.

The R4 is expected to weigh in at a comparatively modest 2,500 pounds and offer a choice of gas or diesel inline-four engines. Gasoline propulsion would come from a 180 horsepower 1.4-liter TSI unit while the high-mileage option would be the 170 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter TDI used in the TT and the Golf GTD. The R4 is also expected to be priced well below the TT with a base of about €22,000 (about $27,000). A tip of the hat to Chris!

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Report: Audi R4 to launch in 2013, slotted below the TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Manufacturing questions standing in the way of Audi R4 production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Diesel, Luxury

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Autocar in the UK, which is citing unknown "high-ranking Audi insiders in Ingolstadt," the future of the Audi R4, Volkswagen BlueSport and possibly an unnamed entry-level model from Porsche (we vote 914) are currently being mulled by the three-headed German automaker. The major stumbling block? Whether or not a stamped steel architecture or Audi's familiar aluminum spaceframe chassis should be used.

Naturally, we'd argue for the light weight of aluminum, which seems more appropriate for a line of sportscars... but at the price point afforded by the much less expensive steel. Decisions, decisions. In any case, the British mag continues to suggest that the R4 would presumably get two turbocharged gasoline engines (1.4-liters and 1.6-liters) along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel mill in lieu of the all-electric powertrain shown off in concept form.

Volkswagen, parent company of both Audi and Porsche, is said to get the final say in the development of all three machines, but some sort of production seems likely. Says the unnamed insider, "Scale is important to a project like this... But with three different car makers working to a common goal, the chances [of it getting the go-ahead] look good."

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Manufacturing questions standing in the way of Audi R4 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Volkswagen head (kinda) confirms new entry-level Porsche 356

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The head of the Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, spoke with Autocar about the possibility of a new entry level Porsche model. Perhaps fancifully dubbed the 356, the new model would slot into Porsche's lineup below the Boxster and Cayman. In England, the new baby Porsche would cost about £33,000, which means nothing to us here in the U.S. and is about what a base Boxster costs. That said, the article mentions the possibility that the next generation Boxster and Cayman might go way up scale.

Big question: what would this new 356 be? Autocar speculates that the 356 will be based heavily on the mid-engine architecture of the upcoming Audi R4 and the conceptual Volkswagen Bluesport. We don't know if the 356 will be strictly a coupe or also be available as a roadster. In fact, we don't even know if the R4 will be coupe-only. We'd image the two cars will have similar, if not identical, body configurations. Though not the engine. In order to keep some brand DNA in the Porsche, the 356 will ship with a new forced-induction flat-four.

Those that remember the 944 Turbo S and the 968 know this is in no way a bad thing - except the 924 Turbo's engine was the EA831 inline-four originally intended for the Volkswagen Bus and Audi 100. It was never really any good, even in turbo form. The reborn 356's mill (most likely a turbo as opposed to supercharged) should be good for around 250 horsepower - very close to where the base Boxster/Cayman currently sits. Expect the 356 to get much better fuel economy, however.

The new 356 will share a transmission with the R4. Again, the 924, 944 and 968 shipped with a modified Audi 100 transmission acting as a transaxle, so there is precedence. As to what that transmission will be, we don't know but we'd guess a DSG of some sort. Audi's R4 should arrive sometime in 2011, with the Porsche 356 bowing in 2012. Is any of this going to actually, you know, happen? Magic 8-Ball says, "Ask again later."

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Volkswagen head (kinda) confirms new entry-level Porsche 356 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept presages production R4

Chris Paukert — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're wondering what the likelihood of Audi building a production version of its new e-tron Detroit Concept Car (yes, that's really its official designation), our sources at Audi indicate that a version of the coupe is likely to go into serial production as the oft-rumored R4.

The German automaker is apparently looking to design a smaller modular platform leveraging the expertise it used to develop the front-engine sedan platform that underpins the new A8 and forthcoming A7, among others. The new mid-engine architecture will likely find homes in a number of Volkswagen Group properties, including a production version of the Concept BlueSport, and perhaps even the next-generation Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

While the e-tron show car is a battery-powered electric vehicle, the production model is likely to be available with either an electric motor or conventional internal-combustion four-cylinder variants.

Given the fact that VW intimated last year that a production BlueSport could be produced at around $25,000, we're anticipating that the Audi R4 will slot in under the TT in the low-$30,000 range, as the 2010 TT presently starts at $37,800.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept presages production R4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Pondering what an electric Audi R4 roadster would look like

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Audi, Electric

At last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi board member Michael Dick confirmed that a production version of the electric eTron sports car concept would be produced by late 2012. Following the show, Audi NA president Johan de Nysschen confirmed that announcement and now AutoExpress has produced a rendering of a production model. However, there appears to be some details lost in the translation. The eTron is based on the aluminum space frame of the R8 while AE says the R4 will be a smaller roadster with a chassis shared with the next generation Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

An Audi R4 has been speculated for some time, with the rumors flaring up after VW showed off the concept BlueSport in Detroit this year. It's not clear if Audi will move ahead with the larger R8-based EV sportster or a smaller machine, or perhaps both. If they do, something like this rendering would be welcome, combining elements of the BlueSport, the eTron and even the top and flying buttresses of a Lotus Elise.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Rendered Speculation: Pondering what an electric Audi R4 roadster would look like originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: On-again, off-again Audi R4

John Neff — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Rendered Speculation

Audi R4 renderings - Click above to enlarge

Speculation that Audi will debut a new mid-engine model called the R4 has been rampant for at least the past two years. Despite the fact that Audi made it clear one year ago that the R4 was not in their product plans, the talk continues. In addition to the rumors, we now have some rendered speculation on what the R4 might look like thanks to Autocar Czech Republic magazine freelancer Jan Kamenistiak.

It's not exactly known where the mid-engine R4 would fit in Audi's model lineup, with some placing it above the TT and others below. Others have it sharing a platform with a possible production version of the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept that debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Known for their ability to skin a car eight different ways and convince the public that they're buying something totally unique, Audi would likely draw heavily from the VW/Audi parts bin for the R4's power- and drivetrain bits, as there are plenty of worthy four-cylinder engines - both gas and diesel - and dual clutch transmissions to choose from.

Until official word comes from Audi, however, that the R4 is actually in the works, we'll still consider all this talk nothing more than speculation.

Gallery: Rendered Speculation: Audi R4

[Source: Autocar Czech]

Rendered Speculation: On-again, off-again Audi R4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mid-engine Audi R4 back on the table?

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Porsche, Rumormill

Audi made it clear last March that the baby R8 was dead. Despite numerous rumors that Audi would get its own version of the upcoming Porsche Boxster/Cayman replacement, the decision was made to nix plans to create the mid-engine Audi R4 over fears that it would cannibalize sales from its Porsche-badged brethren. An Audi spokesperson went so far as to say that, "It was never in our product planning." Well, AutoExpress is reporting that tales of the R4's demise have been a bit premature.

Apparently the new mid-engined R4 is a go. It will occupy a slot in the Audi lineup above the TT and below the R8, with prices starting around £35,000. Like the R8 it will be a two-seater only, available as either a coupe or roadster. AutoExpress even has an image of the car showing a strong familial resemblance to the big-brother R8. To distinguish it from its Porsche siblings, the Audi is said to be getting Quattro AWD and aluminum construction. Powerplants should include the full range of TFSI engines, from the 2.0L turbo, all the way up to the new supercharged and turbocharged 335-hp 2.5L five-cylinder from the TT RS. A high-performance diesel and a gas V6 are also said to be in the mix. Expect a traditional six-speed manual as standard and a seven-speed, S-tronic twin-clutch, semi-automatic as an option.

The R4 won't appear until 2011 at the earliest, allowing Porsche time to launch the Boxster/Cayman first. If that's not enough good news for Audi fans, AE is also reporting that the company is planning an R6 to go head-to-head with the Jag E-Type replacement as well as the Porsche 911. The R10 has also been green-lit, giving Audi a full range of R-badged sports cars for just about any budget. However, AE failed to mention anything about the supposed R3 and its Volkswagen counterpart.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mid-engine Audi R4 back on the table? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.

In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.

According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg.

If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.

Gallery: Volkswagen Concept R

Gallery: Volkswagen EcoRacer

[Source: Autocar]

Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Word from On High: "No Audi R4 for you!"

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Audi, Porsche

For almost a year, we've been hearing rumors from a variety of sources that Audi planned to build a mid-engine sports car that would utilize the Porsche Boxster's underpinnings after the Stuttgart crew takes a majority stake in Audi's parent company, Volkswagen. By most accounts, including a leaked product outline, the so-called Audi R4 was on its way to production by 2010. But according to Automotive News, the plans have been dashed due to Porsche executives who worry that the R4 could steal sales away from their beloved Boxster.

AN quotes an Audi spokesperson as saying that, "It was never in our product planning." While some industry insiders maintain that it's best to keep the VW/Porsche alliance separate, Nick Margetts, from the automotive analysis firm JATO Dynamics, maintains that the R4 never would have threatened Boxster sales. Margetts says that, "Audi drivers are very different from Porsche drivers," and we tend to agree.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

The Word from On High: "No Audi R4 for you!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Audi R4 coupe in the works?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Audi, Porsche

It's been rumored for some time that Audi and Porsche would be teaming up to produce a handful of new models over the next five years. From a manufacturing standpoint, both automakers could benefit from shared development and production costs, while consumers would get their hands on some very compelling product.

The cornerstone of Audi's confusing salvo to "put old luxury on notice" is the expansion of its lineup to fill every conceivable niche. The extension of the "R" line of products - beginning with the R8 - is rumored to include a convertible version of Audi's midship V8 super coupe, along with an R4, R6 and an R10.

Details on the R6, which could slot in between Porsche's Cayman/Boxster and 911 range, and the R10 are scarce, but the next generation Boxster will share a platform with Audi, allowing the four-ringed crew to offer a midship coupe of its own. The R4 is expected to sport the TT's 2.0-liter TFSI four producing 268 hp or a 2.5-liter five-cylinder making upwards of 300 hp. Porsche and Audi are also likely to share everything from aluminum space frames to high-output diesels, torque-vectoring AWD systems and dual-clutch transmissions.

The only concern is how this massive amount of cross-pollination between brands could affect the sales of both automakers. Choice is good, but only if the market can sustain the amount of product being offered.

[Source: EGMCarTech]

Rendered Speculation: Audi R4 coupe in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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