Audi R5 mid-engined sports car approved: here in 2014

McRae

McRae

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AudiR5_1.jpg


Volkswagen's new 'MiMo' sports car architecture has been approved at last - paving the way for a trio of sports cars from Audi, Porsche and VW.

The project had been up in the air while the engineers pondered the layout and the bean counters counted, well, beans. CAR understands that the project has now been given the green light.

Mimo stands for Mittelmotor, hinting at its mid-engined roots. Porsche will lead much of the platform development, with its experience in mid- and rear-engined applications. And that means - for the first time in years - a rear-engined Audi is on the cards.

Audi R5: the lowdown

Our artist's impression (red car, above) shows how the E-tron concept car is likely to translate to the production R5. Both a coupe and open-top roadster models are expected (the E-tron Spyder concept car previewed the convertible).

Underpinning the business case is careful positioning of the Audi R5. This is no sub-TT cheapling; instead the R5 will be positioned above the TT and below the R8 supercar.

How the R5 measures up

That's a brave move by Audi, since the R5 has a compact footprint. At just 3933mm long, it's supermini short, a simple two-seater just a centimetre-and-a-bit longer than a Lotus Exige. But in this age of downsizing, people will pay a premium for a quality, compact sports car. It seems an apposite model for our times.

Although Audi has shown the E-tron concept car powered by electric motors - and a production EV is in the pipeline - the majority of R5 models will in fact feature conventional combustion engines. Word is the top motor will be the five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo from the TT RS, enough for some 350bhp; but sub 2.0-litre engines are a certainty.

When will the Audi R5 be launched?

Now the programme has received the first stage official go-ahead, the Audi R5 is tentatively pencilled in for a 2014 launch. Audi's already shown two concept cars - the E-tron coupe and Spider - and we can expect further hints over the coming years.

Porsche is investigating its own version, dubbed 356, to slot beneath the Boxster, while VW plans to spin off a cheaper model based on the Bluesport concept. It's like the Q7-Cayenne-Touareg off-roader trio all over again.

Volkswagen's sports car will be built at the Karmann factory in Osnabr?ck, Austria. It's unclear at this stage where the other derivatives will be built.
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Car Magazine
 
FATMOUSE said:
I bet it comes with no manual.
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I'm tempted to negrep you for this stupid comment. Anyone up for "OMG NOES FWD!!!"?

But on the car - i'd strongly advise against calling it the R5:
R5AT_Ralf.jpg
 
Oh i don't know some R5's weren't bad

0308_05z+1986_renault_r5_turbo2+front_left_view.jpg


RENAULT%205%20TURBO%20UNO%20MAXI%20TURBO%20001%20(13).jpg
 
FATMOUSE said:
I bet it comes with no manual.
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Well I'm actually thinking AWD, diesel/electric hybrid with DSG gearbox. If they can get some proper feel through the steering unlike so many Audis of late you might end up with something that is frugal, handles, drives well and surges forwards on waves of torque attempting to headbutt the horizon.

If they can then I'd buy that for a dollar!
 
IMO That render looks a bit odd. Hopefully it will look better IRL. That said, why would anyone be against a wider selection of mid or rear engine sports cars.
 
chaos386 said:
That's because it's a render. A render done by someone who thought that a mid-engined car would have a long hood and a short rear deck...
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Sorry I guess I should have been more specific. It's the front that looks off. The cooling ducts make it look like it's crying.
 
Well I must say I like the idea. A smaller, lighter and cheaper version of the already very good R8, what's not to like?
 
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