Monday 9th May 2005

Audi supercar gets green light

Le Mans Quattro concept aimed at 911

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Audi is to go ahead with the production of the Le Mans-inspired Quattro supercar, according to Autocar. Customers will get the first Le Mans Quattros (with a capital Q?) in the first half of 2007.

Audi has a number of engine choices at its disposal. While it's unlikely to be the 610bhp twin-turbo V10 that nestled in the aluminium spaceframe concept car that was first shown in Frankfurt in 2003, Audi reckons a decision has yet to be made. Either Audi's 444bhp W12 unit or the 414bhp 4.2-litre V8 that powers the new RS4 are possibilities.

Aimed squarely at Porsche and Ferrari, the car takes the marque even further upmarket, and could clash with Audi-owned Lamborghini. Autocar reckoned that neither production volumes nor price have yet been set, although the magazine quoted sources as saying  we could expect "an output of between 3000 and 5000 per year in both left- and right-hand drive depending on demand. Prices could start at around £60,000."

Has to be better than a TT...

Links

• Autocar
• Related PH story

[4WD]

Looks far better than the gallardo and 996 as well. Let's hope they have decent steering as well. Hopefully the new RS4 is an all new beginning for Audi, for turn in sharpness.

[dinkel]

www.rs4-video.com/Video/rs4-driven_full.mpg

Well, it looks better than an RS4 . . .

www.niceaudis.ch/le_mans_quattro/bilder/le_mans_quattro_1.jpg

www.digitalcarwallpapers.com/audi_quattro_004_1024.htm

www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/audi_lemans.asp

Looks like a car to have . . . BMW has to come with an M1 ala 2005 . . .

[agent006]

Lets just hope it's not a supercar in the same vein that the TT was a sportscar. Come on audi, do it properly.

[4WD]

The TT was just the handbag of choice. For my girlie anyway.

[door]

60k for a 414bhp coupe could be good fun!!! This would fill the gap between the TT and the Gallardo.

[Konrod]

It's kind of interesting to see this and compare it to the Ascari KZ1. Audi might not be quite as fast or exclusive, but at £60k compared to £235k, 4 wheel drive for the real (read - wet UK) world and real world issues (such as servicing, parts, support etc.) I know which gets my vote.

Mind you, if I could afford either the real world might be irrelevant

[havoc]

If they can get this in at ~1600kg, it'll be VERY interesting.

If it weighs closer to 2 tonnes, it'll just be too much for UK roads, certainly as a "pure" drivers car - even with 4wd the agility and adjustability just won't be there, and you'll be left with an impractical GT.

Use a lot of ally in the chassis, give it an ally-block engine, and charge an extra £5k!!! Weight matters!


But generally...looks good, power sounds spot on, lets see if they can engineer IN some involvement, as opposed to their recent trick of engineering it OUT!

[Lutz]

Good to see that Audi aims at really getting back to their sporting roots, instead of building souped up saloons with overaggressive styling and the choice company car for Heads of Marketing.

[bertie]

I like it, I could see that taking some money!

[deltafox]

OI! AUDI! PUT THE 610 BHP ENGINE IN IT!!!