Baby Audi R8 on way

26 Oct, 2011 7:01am Sam Hardy Comments

Audi insider reveals plans for R4 coupe and cabrio and our exclusive images show how they might look

The R8 is getting a little brother. Audi insiders have given the strongest hints yet that the much rumoured R4 is heading for showrooms. The two-seater sports car will sit between the TT and R8, and rival the new Jaguar C-X16.

“If the go-ahead was given today, it would take around three years to put into production,” an Audi insider told Auto Express.

Taking inspiration from the e-tron Spyder, the R4 will be designed as a convertible. Our source added: “If you start with a roadster, it’s easy to make a coupe version, too [it’s simply a matter of putting a roof on].” Our illustrations give a good idea of how both cars will look.

Initially, the R4 will come with a conventional engine, such as Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, producing around 400bhp, but a hybrid will also feature. “Even in our sports car ranges, customer demand for efficiency is increasing,” said the insider.

While all R4s will have quattro four-wheel drive, the hybrid will take this further. As there’s no mechanical link between the mid-mounted engine driving the rear wheels and the electric motor powering the fronts, the car will get a clever torque vectoring system as seen on the e-tron Spyder.

This drivetrain promises strong efficiency – the e-tron Spyder can run in front-drive electric-only mode at up to 37mph for around 30 miles.

The biggest question is whether the car will sit on a new mid-engined platform or a cut-down version of the R8’s aluminium spaceframe. The new mid-engined chassis was debuted by the VW BlueSport at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, and could also underpin a new entry-level Porsche.

Our insider explained: “We’ve made platform sharing work in the past with cars such as the Q7 [it shares with the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg], but have to decide if it’s right for this car.”

Whatever the platform, the R4 would be a popular junior R8. With prices from around £50,000, the R4 could outsell Porsche’s 911, shifting as many as 10,000 a year.

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Submitted by dan123 on Wed, 2011-10-26 16:48.

Call it what you want it's still a TT with more POWER! so when it's produced it will be called what? R4TT or R8-4=TT or just TT.

Submitted by danielcrawford on Wed, 2011-10-26 17:13.

I don't care what anyone says about this, it would be an amazing alternative for people who can only make it half way for a R8, Audi has their heads screwed on with this plus it's sexy.

Submitted by PeteC on Wed, 2011-10-26 20:05.

Trouble is, Daniel, the price would probably be 70% of the R8, not 50%!

Submitted by asmithdesign on Thu, 2011-10-27 11:55.

After commenting earlier today on the new, completely boring A4. It's nice to see Audi can still design a car that wows the fans. Why can't they just show some imagination with the rest of the range as well?

Submitted by Jaivies on Thu, 2011-10-27 18:00.

Indeed ...70% of the R8, not 50% ...for sure, nice TT though. Whatever it is I can't afford it! Audi's cool but there's just too many.

Submitted by badboyrocco on Thu, 2011-10-27 18:12.

Looks like a Nissan 350z (sort of). But still nice.

Submitted by julianlee on Thu, 2011-10-27 18:39.

hmm.....so it would be an A5 rival with less seats and mid engine? bring it on audi. =)

Submitted by catchmyshadow on Fri, 2011-10-28 03:05.

just wow!

Submitted by LANMAN on Sat, 2011-10-29 23:24.

If you were to drive this car daily you could call it your 'R4 Daily'
(Geddit?)

Submitted by jon_abbate on Sun, 2011-10-30 13:30.

I'd go one further than badboyrocco...maybe a morphed GT-R/350Z/and a touch of Crossfire??