Audi is planning a third sports car in addition to the long-standing TT and recently-introduced R8, according to the latest issue of Germany's Autobild. The car would be sold under the R4 moniker, the report said.

Like the R8, the R4 would be a two-seater with a mid-engine configuration. The base model would have at least 200 horsepower, and pricing would start around 40,000 euros. The car would be contracted of aluminum and steel, weighing around 2,600 lbs. High performance models with power between 280 horsepower and 350 horsepower are also likely, the magazine said. It would compete with the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.

The proposed R4 project would be a joint effort with sister company SEAT, which is planning a similar vehicle. The SEAT model — which would be sold as a coupe only — would likely cost around 30,000 euros and be limited to around 6,000 cars. The R4, on the other hand, would be higher volume with 35,000 cars and would come as a coupe or roadster. The Audi will have an entirely unique exterior and a better interior than its SEAT counterpart. The R4 would likely arrive in 2010.

Like the R8, the R4 would be a two-seater with a mid-engine configuration. The base model would have at least 200 horsepower, and pricing would start around 40,000 euros. The car would be contracted of aluminum and steel, weighing around 2,600 lbs. High performance models with power between 280 horsepower and 350 horsepower are also likely, the magazine said. It would compete with the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.

The proposed R4 project would be a joint effort with sister company SEAT, which is planning a similar vehicle. The SEAT model — which would be sold as a coupe only — would likely cost around 30,000 euros and be limited to around 6,000 cars. The R4, on the other hand, would be higher volume with 35,000 cars and would come as a coupe or roadster. The Audi will have an entirely unique exterior and a better interior than its SEAT counterpart. The R4 would likely arrive in 2010.

Le pic: http://www.autobild.de/heftarchiv/vo...uFUmvWoA%3D%3D

Audi is developing a small sports car called the R4 to challenge the Porsche Boxster, company sources say.

By directly taking on the Stuttgart sports car maker, Audi will invade the territory owned by Porsche, which now has a near-controlling interest in the Volkswagen group, Audi's parent company.

If launched, the R4 would test the new ownership structure at VW, which has some Audi executives nervous.

At the Detroit auto show last month, one high-ranking Audi official said executives are "concerned about how far [Audi] can go" in competing with Porsche.

Porsche has spent more than €4 billion so far buying shares in VW group and recently increased its stake to 27.4 percent, which makes Porsche the largest VW shareholder.

The executive cited the R8, Audi's new supercar, as a current example of Audi pushing into Porsche territory. When it goes on sale in the spring, the R8 will compete against the Porsche 911.

Audi plans to build 4,000 units of the €104,000 R8. Through 11 months, Porsche sold 18,889 911s in Europe.

Though smaller than the R8, the R4 is expected to have a much higher sales target – at least 30,000 a year.

Porsche wants to increase its influence in VW group's decision-making. Porsche currently holds two seats on the VW supervisory board and Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking wants to add "at least one more."

Industry observers have wondered whether the Porsche-VW ownership structure would affect Audi and Porsche sales.

Audi marketing executives say the R8 will directly target 911 buyers. "We will be a new competitor in the segment where the 911 sits," Jens Meier, head of product marketing for Audi, told Automotive News Europe. "Our goal is to get some volume from our competitors."

Audi declined to comment whether it will make the R4, but Meier said "we think we can fill the holes between the TT and Lamborghini." Audi owns Lamborghini.

Audi sources said the R4 will arrive in showrooms in 2010 as a mid-engine, two-seat sports car. Seat, VW group's Spanish brand, also could receive a similar vehicle, a separate source said.

"Audi is not only targeting Porsche but also drivers of the Mercedes SL or those who want a fast car but for whom a Lamborghini would be too extreme," said Frankfurt-based CSM Worldwide analyst Henner Lehne.

Said Porsche spokesman Stephan Marschall: "We welcome competition and we are confident Porsche will fare well in comparison."

Jens Meiners contributed

Audi is revving up to launch a smaller sibling for its R8 super car, which could be badged the R4.

If it makes production the mid-engined R4 will rival sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster.

topCar magazine reports that the entry-level R4 will get the VW/Audi group's 2-litre turbo FSI engine. However, power will be increased to 201 kW.

The RS model will have a 2.5-litre in-line five turbocharged to produce 260 kW.

Audi is developing a brand new platform for the R4 while the transmission, steering and brakes will come from the existing parts bin.

According to topCar the R4 would not use lightweight aluminum like the R8 and TT. Audi will use a high-strength steel spaceframe for the chassis, with hang-on body panels made of plastic and aluminum.

Apparently kerb weight could be between 1 100 and 1 250 kg.

Production for the R4 is expected to kick off at the end of 2009.

Many believed talk of Audi’s future mid-engined Cayman rival was pure fantasy but then details about the carmaker’s future lineup were published by Quattro Quarterly (a publication released by the Audi Club of North America) and one of the cars on that list was in fact the long rumored R4. Set to appear in June 2011, the new R4 will get its own unique platform and will likely appear in both coupe and roadster bodystyles. Like the R8, the new R4 will feature aggressive styling and will only be able to seat two. Several engine options will be on offer as this won’t be an exclusive supercar like its bigger brother. Expect to see a range-topping model with a high-output turbocharged mill developing in excess of 300hp. Base models, meanwhile, will make do with an uprated version of the 2.0L TFSI engine. As this rendering suggests, the R4 will pick up some styling cues from the recent A1 Metroproject concept car as well as share many similarities with the bigger R8. Although it doesn’t have the familiar side-blades, the R4 still features a pair of gaping vents positioned in front of the rear wheels. The chassis will feature steel construction but engineers are targeting a final kerb weight of around 1,250kg, and although the mid-engined Boxster and Cayman seem like the most obvious competitors Audi officials insist the new car is designed to rival vehicles from BMW’s M division and AMG.