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Baby Audi R8 on way

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

Audi R4 Coupe

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Poblete

26th October 2011

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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11 Comments

It's the new TT!

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.

By dan123 on 26 October, 2011, 12:48pm

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.

By danielcrawford on 26 October, 2011, 1:13pm

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

By PeteC on 26 October, 2011, 4:05pm

Audi do have flair after all

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?

By asmithdesign on 27 October, 2011, 7:55am

Two guys were designing the TT, this one handed his in too late but Audi liked it! :)

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.

By Jaivies on 27 October, 2011, 2:00pm

350z

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

By badboyrocco on 27 October, 2011, 2:12pm

2 seater?

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

By julianlee on 27 October, 2011, 2:39pm

wow

just wow!

By catchmyshadow on 27 October, 2011, 11:05pm

What's In A Name?

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

By LANMAN on 29 October, 2011, 7:24pm

Nice but...

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

By jon_abbate on 30 October, 2011, 9:30am

McRae R4?

I mentioned this on Twitter in September/Oct I think.. but could the model name cause issues between the CM R4?

By shez23 on 20 November, 2011, 12:59pm

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Pictures

Audi R4 Coupe
Audi R4 Spyder

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