Audi is about to launch the strongest challenge yet to Porsches dominance of the high-end sports car market with a new £60,000 mid-engined two-seater. The car is expected to have four-wheel drive and be built of lightweight aluminium, with a powerful new 420bhp V8 engine that will easily outgun the 355bhp Porsche 911 Carrera S.
It is expected to be called the Audi Le Mans quattro in honour of the car makers recent record in the French 24-hour race Audi has won four of the last five and the 2003 concept car of the same name (right) which has provided the design inspiration.
The car should hit 60mph in less than 4.5sec and have a top speed of about 190mph, though Audi will restrict it to 155mph. It is expected to reach Britain early in 2007 and will pose a challenge not only to Porsche but also to Aston Martins £79,000 baby Vantage.
Martin Winterkorn, Audis chief executive, tested a prototype nine days ago and was impressed enough to order the car into production. I drove the prototype and I decided there and then we will make this car, he said. Winterkorn predicted the production car would share at least 80% of the concept cars styling. I want it to be a hero car, he said.
About 4,000 Le Mans quattros will be built per year, of which around 400 will come to Britain. The car is likely to be shown for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in September.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-1590743,00.html (@TdI /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_2.gif)
It is expected to be called the Audi Le Mans quattro in honour of the car makers recent record in the French 24-hour race Audi has won four of the last five and the 2003 concept car of the same name (right) which has provided the design inspiration.
The car should hit 60mph in less than 4.5sec and have a top speed of about 190mph, though Audi will restrict it to 155mph. It is expected to reach Britain early in 2007 and will pose a challenge not only to Porsche but also to Aston Martins £79,000 baby Vantage.
Martin Winterkorn, Audis chief executive, tested a prototype nine days ago and was impressed enough to order the car into production. I drove the prototype and I decided there and then we will make this car, he said. Winterkorn predicted the production car would share at least 80% of the concept cars styling. I want it to be a hero car, he said.
About 4,000 Le Mans quattros will be built per year, of which around 400 will come to Britain. The car is likely to be shown for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in September.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-1590743,00.html (@TdI /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_2.gif)
