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

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.”

[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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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.

Filed under: Convertible, Audi, Alternative Fuel

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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