Comments on: TTAC Photochop: New Audi R4

By: akatsuki

akatsuki — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:59:07 +0000

If they announce a lightweight, mid-engined R4 targa that maybe slots between the Elise and Boxster in specs – well, it will be the first car I will put a deposit down that day.

As for the TT, I imagine the R4 would replace it. Between an R4 and maybe an A3 coupe and convertible, there would be no room.

By: Johnster

Johnster — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:40:14 +0000

I like the idea, although it does seem uncomfortably close to Audi’s own TT.

If it were to go forward the platform could be shared with VW, as they have been teasing us with small mid-engined concept roadsters for what seems like forever.

And it might work as a replacement for Porsche’s Boxter/Cayman, or perhaps a car slightly smaller to slot in below the Boxter/Cayman. (A revived 914 anyone?)

By: capeplates

capeplates — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:09:37 +0000

Audi are the tops! They look good, drive good and make you feely bloody good. I’m in

By: Nemphre

Nemphre — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:25:20 +0000

Audi is adding way too many models. This will bite them in the ass eventually.

By: chuckgoolsbee

chuckgoolsbee — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:06:06 +0000

Plug a TDI in and a targa top and I’ll be the first on my block to buy one. (Not white though!)

–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org

By: JEC

JEC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:20:12 +0000

Me want. But I can’t afford any Audi (and the long term reliability and maintenance costs scare me), so I might as well just leave the growly-German-sex-on-wheels R8 on my dream list.

How about that new Lotus Evos? That seems like a much more likely competitor (bigger, more comfy, V6, “four” seats); the Elise is for short people who like raw-edged driving and are willing to sacrifice comfort for a motorcycle on four wheels (ie, me), the R4 is definitely going to be more of a mid-engined TT.

By: SunnyvaleCA

SunnyvaleCA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:38:32 +0000

How about the newest version of the 2.0T engine in a rear wheel drive configuration.

By: rob

rob — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:13:54 +0000

It looks good. As was raised at the end of the article, this might be too close to Porsche to make sense (cents?). With Porsche buying up VW/Audi, it would good to have the R4 share platforms with the Boxter/cayman, but I don’t think the market is big enough for the two of them.

By: Claude Dickson

Claude Dickson — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:40:27 +0000

And just how are they going to differentiate the R4 from either the Audi TTS or the TTR??? One has a joke back seat and the other doesn’t???

By: Keef

Keef — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:09:52 +0000

@austinseven: No way man! That thing is HOTT! I’d snap one up in an instant: low weight, mid engine, tuned 4 cylinder… The rendering has got excellent sportiness, but not the egregious swoops you’ll get with an Elise. Plus I’ve never cared much for the R8’s so called “sideblade”, so I’m happy to see that go away for the smaller car.

By: austinseven

austinseven — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:00:31 +0000

Ugly little bastard, ain’t it?

By: AKM

AKM — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Would it replace the TT? They seem too close for comfort.

I understand that the TT is more a boulevardier while the R4 would be sportier, but still. This said, I agree with landcrusher that if it translates into low weight, it may be a great idea.

BTW, pretty hot rendering. Much nicer than the current TT, and than the R8.

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:39:12 +0000

I like the idea. More sports car competition in the Elise class will benefit us all as the manufacturers will likely learn some lessons about weight.