Audi in Detroit - Smaller E-Tron

[The RS6]

Well, as it was mentioned earlier (http://www.rs6.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19996), Audi showed something new in Detroit - a smaller E-Tron concept...

http://cdn.images.autocar.co.uk/612x408FFFFFF/Car/Audi/E-tron/230kW2drCoupe/Audi-E-1111010421567511600x1060.jpg

http://cdn.images.autocar.co.uk/612x408FFFFFF/Car/Audi/E-tron/230kW2drCoupe/Audi-E-1111010421577201600x1060.jpg

http://cdn.images.autocar.co.uk/612x408FFFFFF/Car/Audi/E-tron/230kW2drCoupe/Audi-E-1111010421596101600x1060.jpg

http://cdn.images.autocar.co.uk/612x408FFFFFF/Car/Audi/E-tron/230kW2drCoupe/Audi-E-111101042205481600x1060.jpg

Source: Autocar (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/246428/)

[Benman]

R8 Daddy, New Camaro Mommy... ;)

I like it. :D

Ben:addict:

[RXBG]

what's the point of making a concept about another concept?

i'm a even more confused than ever.

whatever. back to work.

[tailpipe]

Wow! I REALLY like how this looks. It is genuinely fresh and different from Audi. Very interesting lines that build on what has already been. I particularly like the shield evolution. I expect it to get narrower at the next iteration.

I want to know who penned it. I bet it wasn't Walter da silva. (To be honest with you, guys, i am quite relieved that Walter da Silva has left Ingolstadt and gone to Wolfsburg. His latest effort: the VW Sports Coupe is a bit of a mess with way too many A5 cues. Hasn't he got any fresh ideas? It won't take too many people to share this point of view before Dr Piech wields a nasty axe.)

Anyway, this concept is gorgeous. The lines are very elegant, very minimalist. I don't quite understand where it fits in with the TT or whether it is indeed the next TT, but it is bold, exciting and a welcome return to form after too many A4 jelly mould clones. Vorsprung durch teknik!

[RXBG]

tailpipe- in this regard i agree. as a styling exercise it is beautiful. much better looking than the etron. could it be the next TT? looks almost like a porsche 928.

wonder if audi is planning to add another sports car above the TT. might be too much. as i said- i am confused. designwise it is fabulous.

was hoping for a next gen R8 type of thing but oh well.

[The Pretender]

.....Anyway, this concept is gorgeous. The lines are very elegant, very minimalist. "Bauhaus" Pur Sang.



I don't quite understand where it fits in with the TT or whether it is indeed the next TT, but it is bold, exciting and a welcome return to form after too many A4 jelly mould clones. Vorsprung durch teknik!

The TT will end at the end of the Mk2's lifetime.
This is the new Mid engined Audi R4 Coupe.
It will take over from the TT.

[Lmg]

The TT will end at the end of the Mk2's lifetime.
This is the new Mid engined Audi R4 Coupe.
It will take over from the TT.

Nice!

And the concept looks really good.

[The Pretender]

R8 Daddy, New Camaro Mommy... ;)

I like it. :D

Ben:addict:
What about: R8 Daddy, GT-R Mommy.... :hihi:

[The RS6]

What I instantly noticed on first sight is a very very small wheelbase and very little rear overhang...

Then I read this quote where CEO Rupert Stadler said that "we're confident that e-tron will become as famous as quattro."

So, short wheelbase, really short rear overhang, ring a bell? :)

[The Pretender]

This car have "Mid engine" written all over it. :jlol:
I want one with 340 hp 2.5TFSI "TT RS' engine in it.

[The Pretender]

Live Pics. http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/images/smilies/teamspeed/wow2.gif

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/01_audietrondetroitlive.jpg
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[The Pretender]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/07_audietrondetroitlive.jpg
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[The Pretender]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/13_audietrondetroitlive.jpg
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[The Pretender]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/18_audietrondetroitlive.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/19_audietrondetroitlive.jpg
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[tailpipe]

I haven't been this excited about an Audi since the last RS4 came out. Sensational!

Who designed it? Pretender, you're right: it's a return to Bauhaus. Thank God! If this previews a new and evolved design language for Audi, then things are really looking up. Terrific.

I don't give damn about about the e-tron version of this car. i want to see it with the TTRS's 5-cylinder TFSI.

Question: do you think it is based on the VW Bluesport concept's platform? I do. And I think it'll come in three flavours: Porsche, Audi and VW. As long as each brand gets the styling and engine choices right no worries.

[roadrunner]

It's official: I confess to cheating on the :R8:

This thing brings Audi to the next design level.

So many fine details - i'm speechless :bow:

[The Pretender]

I haven't been this excited about an Audi since the last RS4 came out. Sensational!

Who designed it? Pretender, you're right: it's a return to Bauhaus. Thank God! If this previews a new and evolved design language for Audi, then things are really looking up. Terrific.

I don't give damn about about the e-tron version of this car. i want to see it with the TTRS's 5-cylinder TFSI.

Question: do you think it is based on the VW Bluesport concept's platform? I do. And I think it'll come in three flavours: Porsche, Audi and VW. As long as each brand gets the styling and engine choices right no worries.

Idem Dito, my hart is racing all night from the moment i lay eyes on it.

This car will be build on the MQP architecture like the "Bluesport" IMHO.
All the proportions say Transverse Mid engine.
The only question i have: "Will it be the first RWD drive production Audi or would it be possible to install quattro.

btw, this is the second Audi Concept i like after the Sportback (A7) Concept.

[RXBG]

the press release says the plastic/CF reinforced body panels will be seen in an upcoming production model? maybe on the RS5? or in the next R8?

[The Pretender]

the press release says the plastic/CF reinforced body panels will be seen in an upcoming production model? maybe on the RS5? or in the next R8?

What time frame is upcoming.
A few months or years.

[RXBG]

What time frame is upcoming.
A few months or years.

purposely vague. could be either. might even be the A1- not a sportscar.

[tailpipe]

Okay, after some digging, here is a summary of what everyone is saying about this concept. Essentially, it is the new R4 that will replace the TT. It uses the new rear-mid-engine platform previewed last year in the VW BlueSport Concept. This MQB platform will form the basis of three new models: an entry level Porsche, the new Audi R4, and a VW Roadster. I think we're looking at an R4 price point around the same level as the TT-RS. My guess is a launch in around 24 months. I imagine that a third concept based on this platform will be shown either at Paris in September, or Detroit in 12 months time, but wearing a Porsche badge. It seems that Audi is pretty delighted about the initial response to the design. Above all, MQB will set out to prove that you can get three very different cars from one platform.

[RXBG]

i agree with your summary tailpipe- but i think you are wrong on one count- i don't think it will replace the TT. audi is planning to increase the number of models considerably. IMO i DON'T think this is a good idea, i consider it hubris- look at what has happened to GM and Ford. ni think audi should be leveling off the number of models and improving them, not adding so many more that it will confuse the consumer. i think audi is planning to add another model (R4) to the line up. i don't know what they are smoking in ingolstadt.

i do know that this design is not incompatible with a TT replacement. but i do think they should have either a TT or an R4 on sale but not both.

we'll see what happens.

[The Pretender]

It's already decided that the TT will end after the Mk2.

[RXBG]

It's already decided that the TT will end after the Mk2.


is that right? how sure are you?

[ChicagoAudi]

The A5 and TT represent overlapping products fighting for similar consumers. Any consumer wanting an occasional rear seat will choose the A5 over the TT, and consider that the rear seats are token in the coupe and nonexistent in the roadster. Therefore, a reasonably priced mid engine two seater would help provide Audi with a purist sports car.

[The Pretender]

Okay, after some digging, here is a summary of what everyone is saying about this concept. Essentially, it is the new R4 that will replace the TT. It uses the new rear-mid-engine platform previewed last year in the VW BlueSport Concept. This MQB platform will form the basis of three new models: an entry level Porsche, the new Audi R4, and a VW Roadster. I think we're looking at an R4 price point around the same level as the TT-RS. My guess is a launch in around 24 months. I imagine that a third concept based on this platform will be shown either at Paris in September, or Detroit in 12 months time, but wearing a Porsche badge. It seems that Audi is pretty delighted about the initial response to the design. Above all, MQB will set out to prove that you can get three very different cars from one platform.

I had time to examine the pictures more and the "Audi Sport quattro S2" came in mind.
And based on that i have a different idea about the future of this concept.
I think it will not be MQB architecture but more R8 based with Longitudinal engine layout.
And i will tell you why:

1) I can't imagine a RWD Audi.
2) A quattro option is a must with this car.
3) With a Bluesport MQB transverse layout it would be difficult to get a axle to the front.
4) Imagine this car with a longitudinal R8 style drivetrain and longitudinal 2.5TFSI inline five cylinder engine with 400+ hp.

[RXBG]

i am certain audi will extend the wheelbase of the next R8- and whatever the R4 is- to accomodate a longitudinal engine- be it 5 cyl or even 6 cyl.

to this end - i hope the next R8 and LP560 replacement are different- the former with smaller charged engines- the larger with big displacement engines. though they will likely be twins again.

[Lmg]

Here's a Car and Driver video of the E-tron:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoMmPhVrObk&feature=player_embedded#

[The Pretender]

i am certain audi will extend the wheelbase of the next R8- and whatever the R4 is- to accomodate a longitudinal engine- be it 5 cyl or even 6 cyl.

to this end - i hope the next R8 and LP560 replacement are different- the former with smaller charged engines- the larger with big displacement engines. though they will likely be twins again.

A 6 cilinder would be a V6, with other words short.

[RXBG]

A 6 cilinder would be a V6, with other words short.


not really- look at porsche and bmw's inline 6's.

though i agree audi would probablt build on and develop on their current 6 cyl engines all of which are V's.

[The Pretender]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110011323975/audi-confirms-e-tron-detroit-concept-as-r4-preview--sub

[tailpipe]

Pretender, i disagree with you here. I think this is MQB platform. And it will have AWD a la S3, TTS/ TTRS and Golf R. It just won't be Torsen. They'll use transverse mount with Haldex 4.

Many people are quite dismissive of Haldex AWD systems, but I hear that latest version is very clever.

[The Pretender]

Pretender, i disagree with you here. I think this is MQB platform. And it will have AWD a la S3, TTS/ TTRS and Golf R. It just won't be Torsen. They'll use transverse mount with Haldex 4.

Many people are quite dismissive of Haldex AWD systems, but I hear that latest version is very clever.

If the R4 will be a MQB mid engined car (like the Bluesport) it will be difficult to get a axle to the front.
The mid engine layout is just a FWD layout put a axle back.
That mean the gearbox is on the wrong side of the engine.
With a longitudinal layout it will be possible to get a proper quattro system installed with a front sport diff.

[ZeroCool]

here the same as in the other Thread - i think it's going to be the first RWD Audi ;)

[The Pretender]

here the same as in the other Thread - i think it's going to be the first RWD Audi ;)

Here the same as in the other threat - if that is the case they can keep it.

[The Pretender]

http://www.vk.se/media/?clipid=4928

[The Pretender]

http://homepage.mac.com/adrianprice1/audiR4.jpg

[Yahh]

That looks great :heart: