In its latest issue, South African car mag topCar furthers speculation hatched late last year in the German media that Audi is planning an even smaller mid-engine sports car for 2009. The mini-R8 would go after the Porsche Boxster. It'd likely be called... surprise! — the R4 and be powered by Audi's corporate two-liter turbo FSI engine producing 270 hp. An RS model, the mag says, would be powered by VW/Audi's 2.5-liter five, turbocharged with an intent to produce in range of 350 hp. The report also says the car will be built on an all-new platform, with steering and brakes from current inventory, and a schteel spaceframe (nein aluminum!) and weighing in between 2425 and 2756 pounds. We'll likely see more on the idea in concept form during next year's show circuit.
Audi's secret Boxster [Wheels 24]
Related:
Another Number, Another Letter: The Prospective Audi R4 [internal]