Could the R8 soon have a baby brother? According to some reports, Audi may in fact be wrenching on a smaller mid-engine sports coupe called the R4.
According to Inside Line, the R4 would share its platform with the forthcoming electric e-Tron coupe. Volkswagen may utilize the resources of its latest acquisition – Porsche – and base both cars off the next-generation Boxster and Cayman.
Inside Line claims the R4 will be built only as a roadster, and will be offered in both gasoline and electric forms. If true, we’d imagine the EV powertrain would differ little from the e-Tron coupe, which may use a lithium-ion battery pack to power four in-wheel electric motors. Range for both is estimated to be approximately 150 miles on a single charge.
Gasoline powerplants, however, will be more conventional, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the R4 shared its engine choices with the TT. There is no word on expected pricing, but the gasoline-powered variants are likely to be priced between the TT and the R8.