Audi working on the R4?

Audi is considering a new performance oriented vehicle that may even spawn another sports car from one of its sister companies also under the Volkswagen Group, most likely SEAT. Rumour has it that the new Audi coupe, which could be built off an all-new platform, will be labelled the R4 and be a direct competitor to BMW's redesigned Z4 that's scheduled for release in 2009. A source from Audi denied that the company has Porsche’s Cayman and Boxster in its sights, but rather is targeting BMW’s M division and AMG.

This rendering of the R4 from German publication Autobild, shows the aggressive design that the engineers are going for. Other giveaways are the fixed roof and compact cabin that make this car a strict two-seater coupe. Like the larger R8, the R4 could follow a mid-engined layout with powerplants likely to be shared with current Audi models. A range-topping model will feature a high output turbo V6 producing more that 300hp due soon after the base car's debut in 2010. See the PDF of Autobild’s front cover by clicking here.