More Audi R5 Rumors/Intel from AutoExpress

[George@Fourtitude]

The R8 is due for a little brother says AutoExpress. Audi board member Michael Dick once told us he liked the idea and AutoExpress suggests this "R4" will be based closely on the e-tron Spyder and feature the 2.5 TFSI pumping close to 400 hp with all-wheel drive and eventually a hybrid version pushing electric power via the front wheels.

There are more details from AutoExpress's 'insider contact' in the article after the jump as well as renders based on the Detroit e-tron concept.

So What Do We Think?
First, we're pretty sure this car will be called "R5". That name has been mentioned by our own contacts and we've also seen reference to it by Georg Kacher over at CAR who is often VERY in tune with what the Audi board is thinking.

Interesting here are all the references to the e-tron Spyder (shown above on display at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and next to an R8 for reference). Several concepts have been shown of mid-engine smaller Audi sportscars including the e-tron Spyder and the Detroit e-tron coupe... both on different proposed chassis. The Spyder featured a longitudinal V6 TDI while we're told the e-tron Detroit coupe would have equated to a transverse setup and was nearly the same footprint as the Audi A1's PQ25 platform.

If you read yesterday's intel from CAR about the various mid-engine intel as it pertained to proposed Porsche chassis mates to mid-engine Audis , then you know that we remain unclear as to whether this little brother for the R8 will feature a transverse engine orientation (east-west like the TT and A3) or longitudinal (like the R8, A4, etc.). Just which setup is used determines things like parts sharing... transverse likely using an all-wheel drive system like Haldex while a longitudinal might use something like the R8's viscous coupling, a torsen or the like.

That the 2.5 TFSI is the most likely engine suggests perhaps the answer will be transverse since the 5-cylinder turbo is longer than the V10 but narrow enough to fit rather keenly when mounted east-west... one reason you see it bountifully in TT RS and RS 3 and not at all in any larger Audis with the very singular exception of the quattro Concept.

Since AutoExpress is referencing an insider contact and not just rehashing some nebulous rumor, we're putting more weight on the accuracy of the story. If they're accurate, then their source suggests that determination of final platform hasn't been made... though the level of drivetrain detail (if from the same source) conflicts a bit with this. More than likely, their source is sandbagging just a bit. In our opinion, the R5 is very likely and AutoExpress says it could be out within three years.

[R5T]

Most like will be that the V6 TDI Spyder e-tron will evolve into the next Gen R8 and that the Detroit e-tron will evolve into the next TT.
Also the quattro Concept could evolve into the next TT, in that case the Detroit e-tron will only be a concept without a future.

[George@Fourtitude]

Most like will be that the V6 TDI Spyder e-tron will evolve into the next Gen R8 and that the Detroit e-tron will evolve into the next TT.
Also the quattro Concept could evolve into the next TT, in that case the Detroit e-tron will only be a concept without a future.

I'll wait and see. e-tron Spyder is a longitudinal engine and could be the second full generation R8 (facelift due at Geneva), or it could also be the R5 design. e-tron Detroit is based on a mid-engine transverse architecture (MSB or MSS may be capable of doing both longitudinal or transverse setups, but this remains unconfirmed). quattro Concept is longitudinal front. TT is definitely transverse front, based on MQB. TT has thus far always been its own design and I doubt that Audi would completely break with the TT lineage to re-use one of these designs that were clearly not TT design experiments. I could be wrong, but I'll still stick to this assumption.

[R5T]

Sportscar between TT and R8.

* Front or maybe mid engine.
* 2.5TFSI 5 cylinder engine.
* Quattro.

[R5T]

I'm just wonder could this R5 be the replacement of the TT RS and that the next TTS will be the top of the TT range. ???
Further, with a front engine it will not clash with the Porsche Cayman.
This R5 could end up with 380+ hp front engine and quattro, and the price can be justified because it's a stand alone model that way.

[JohnLZ7W]

Would definitely trade the RS for that

[HBspeed]

The big question is whether it will be available with a 6 speed manual. If so I may consider going for one... otherwise I'd rather jump on the TT-RS. For me the correct transmission is more important than the mid engine layout or a better biased AWD system.

[Marlo]

Another source said RWD, personally hope for front engine, 2 seater, 6 speed, 2.5T, RWD, in the 40-60k range, won't step on the boxster/cayman formula and will appeal to a buyer who wants a slightly larger comfort-sport type vehicle vs. the smaller motorsport oriented Porsches, if not atleast make this the new a5 it's a great GT with road presence yet the overall consensus is the 3 series is a more dynamic drive

[Ian_VR6]

This for sure will turn out to be the MKIII TT.

[R5T]

This for sure will turn out to be the MKIII TT.

In that case i'm not interested in it.