Audi considering lightweight, hardcore TT
Posted 23rd November, 2012 in Audi | Leave a comment
He may have only been in the job for 100 days, but Audi’s Wolfgang Durheimer isn’t wasting any time when it comes creating new models, with a hardcore TT at the top of his to-do list, along with a hybrid supercar to rival the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder.
Now charged with the responsibility for technical development within the brand, Durheimer moved from Bentley and Bugatti in the summer, but he previously headed Porsche R&D, and it is the 911 GT3 drivers that Audi has in its sights. With a target of just 1,000 kg – 300 kg less than the current model, the company really has its work cut out, especially when you consider the addition of the quattro four-wheel drive layout as well as a rollcage.
“Audi is well known for lightweight construction, and reflecting on racing, you don’t need to twist my arm to persuade me that lightweight can sell cars, and bring emotions and fun to the drivers,” said Durheimer, who believes that a mixture of steel and aluminium sections against carbon fibre would result in the required weight loss, with a high-powered five-cylinder petrol engine his preferred choice of powerplant.
He also hinted of a new flagship super sports car that would be positioned much higher than the R8 and harness the innovative technology seen in the Le Mans-winning R18 e-tron quattro. “I think that if we can do a super-high-tech race car with a diesel-hybrid drivetrain, this could be a hot seller in the sports car segment too,” Durheimer teased.
[Source: What Car?]
