Il y aura un Roadster...!

[Philippe]

:coucou:

 

R8 rates a new format

 

Audi R8

The mid-engined Audi R8 will probably be transformed into a convertible and get a V12

 

 

16 February 2007

 

Paul Gover

 

The arrival of the Audi R8 is only the start for the new German superstar. As good as it is, Audi plans more from the R8 range as it looks to extend its reach into the upper zones of the sports-car business.

 

The mid-engined car will probably be transformed into a convertible. It is also expected to get a V12 diesel in addition to the 4.2-litre petrol V8 already fitted.

 

"This is not the end of the story," Audi Quattro's head of technical development Jens Steingraber says.

 

"It is possible to put more horsepower in that car. But we will show customers and competitors when we need to do it."

 

He is reluctant to get into specifics, but admits there is more potential in the hi-tech R8.

 

"A lot of people say we must be doing a convertible. We are thinking about that at the moment, he says.

 

There are many similarities between the R8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo, which is produced by another of the brands in the giant Volkswagen group.

 

"With the Gallardo we have proven with the aluminium spaceframe that it is possible to do a convertible," Steingraber says.

 

On the subject of engines, there are plenty of choices beyond the V8 taken from the RS4 sedan and transplanted into the R8.

 

"Yes, a V10 would fit. There is space. It is the same space as the Gallardo, so this V10 is possible," Steingraber says.

 

"But I don't believe in a smaller engine for that car, below a V8. That car has a shape that forbids 250 horsepower (187kW). We don't want to rob customers from the TT, or have the TT steal customers from the R8.

 

"With the TT we started with 250 horsepower, but that won't be the end for that car."

 

Some people believe Audi must build S and RS models of the R8 to chase Ferrari, but Steingraber says the name would be taken by the company's A8 luxury sedan and the sports car is already beyond the S upgrade work.

 

"This car is an RS type already," he says.

 

Steingraber says there is no chance the R8 will go on to rival the 400km/h Bugatti Veyron produced by another of VW's exotic brands.

 

"We cannot stay with this car the way it is for eight years, that would be naive," he says.

 

"We could do a car that is much quicker, or sells for $800,000, but we wanted to put our competence on the road. Audi is not a Bugatti."

 

Herald-Sun

 

:bigthumbup:

[Pierrot.]

Salut Philippe,cela fait longtemps :bigsmile: :bigthumbup:

[popoff]

 

Merci pour l'info Philippe :jap:

[Max]

Bonne nouvelle :bien:

[Philippe]

:coucou:

 

S'is ont besoin d'idée.... :malelovies: :bigthumbup:

 

 

[popoff]