- The deficiency of superior-overall performance-sporting activities-car or truck ideas is obvious at Audi, but Vehicle and Driver has realized that an EV substitution for the R8 is in the performs.
- Don’t get far too nervous, though: the launch date for this new design, at the moment identified as the Rnext, has been pushed again to 2029.
- Whether or not Audi will style and design its own system or use a Porsche matrix is however unclear, but if Ingolstadt can have things its way, Lamborghini and Bentley are very likely to get bespoke spinoffs.
Consider Audi competing in Method 1 in 2026 with out a higher-functionality athletics motor vehicle in its portfolio to reap the motorsports rub-off. How silly would that be? And nonetheless, at the minute, the brand’s long run street map has no successor to the TT, no alternative for the R8, or in point any other ultrafast, significant-visibility, significant-margin, picture-creating item.
Although elsewhere in the Volkswagen Team, Lamborghini has the up coming Aventador and Huracán pretty significantly cast in stone, Rimac is preparing a comply with-up to the Bugatti Chiron equipped with an great 1800-hp hybrid V-8, and Porsche is severely contemplating an electric supercar and hypercar, Audi’s think tank harbors lots of good ideas but not enough challenging strategies.
To day, the duel among Markus Duesmann (putting on the 4-rings livery as Audi chairman) and Oliver Blume (with Porsche embossed in his armor as the brand’s CEO) has ended in a lifeless heat, but now that Blume has stepped into the sizzling seat not too long ago vacated by Herbert Diess, the young CEO is contacting the shots. Will he permit the Audi CTO Oliver Hoffmann establish his possess bespoke sports-car or truck architecture as prepared? Or is he heading to urge the group’s Bavarian satellite to use the SSP6 componentry getting compiled exclusively for Porsche? “A determination is not going to be made just before subsequent spring,” statements one particular insider. “Blume will retain the makes on a prolonged leash to promote creative imagination and differentiation,” thinks an additional. “In the close, the bottom line is all that matters,” quips a 3rd.
Let’s think for a minute that Audi has no cost rein and can thrust forward with AU634/, which is the code title for Rnext. Whilst the motor vehicle at this position does not share a single merchandise with the Huracán substitute, the superior-voltage hard work is destined to spawn a Lamborghini design late in the 10 years and a Bentley offspring in the early 2030s. There is nevertheless a prolonged way to go, but that is the plan. We be expecting 3 human body designs to make it into creation: a two-seat coupe and spyder as effectively as a roomier 2+2, the latter probably as a shooting brake.
Porsche Batteries, Slim Packaging
Modularity and scalability are key to keeping the fees down, which is why all designs allegedly will use Porsche-sourced high-overall performance batteries. Will the building be aluminum or carbon fiber? Most likely a bit of both equally, with a artificial weave for the tub and lightweight metal for the suspension. A mobile-to-chassis notion, where by the battery pack is a pressured ingredient, promises even less energy, slimmer packaging, and extra rigidity.
What we have so much is yet an additional electric supercar to be positioned in the $250,000-to-$300,000 array that may possibly be eaten for breakfast by the less dear Tesla Roadster, if that at any time comes. In all likelihood, not even amazing layout, incredible effectiveness, and superb quality will make the Rnext a sure-fire achievements assured to eclipse the levels of competition.
Real, admits Audi’s Hoffmann. What defines the variance between greatness and mere competence is how such a car drives. No, we are not chatting 1000 watts of electrical power listed here, for the reason that 1000 horsepower can now be taken for granted when the future RS6 e-tron bows. As an alternative, the motor vehicle dynamics specialists are waxing lyrical about their breakthrough neuronal Quattro system that shares its huge mind energy with the steering, brakes, and suspension for, to quotation Hoffmann, “complete regulate and complete pleasure.”
Branding Is Everything
That’s the fantastic information. The terrible news is that AU634/ is conspicuous by its absence from the most recent cycle system, which does exhibit the up coming-gen e-tron GT with a Porsche SSP6 system moniker and a 2029 release day. We asked all around and were instructed that the Rnext will appear in the not however finalized Setting up Round 72 in early 2023.
So, at this stage, it appears to be anything is achievable. Porsche nevertheless could allow Audi to use the Cayman/Boxster platform for a 2027 TT replacement. And it could structure the substantially various electric foreseeable future 911, code-named PO998, around a element set adaptable plenty of to also accommodate the Rnext.
Porsche could, but we would not bet on it. Manufacturer identity is crucial when a high quality nameplate trades on the inventory exchange. And let us face it: Immediately after three several years of fierce great cop/bad cop rivalry, isn’t really it about time for the new King of Wolfsburg to demonstrate some leniency and tolerance toward the Duke of Ingolstadt?
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