Will Audi build a sucessor to the R8?

Muzza · 14 Jun 2003, 20:41 (Ref:631529)

Adding to the insisting rumours that Audi is considering building a new sportscar to replace the extremely successful R8 model, the President of Audi USA was just interviewed by the Speed Channel and stated that the German manufacturing is debating this question.

He also left quite clear the marketing benefits of Audi's involvement with sportcar racing, and made a joke about the fact that "it's fine if others prefer to be by the golf course" (a comment directed to Mercedes-Benz, that sponsors several golf tournaments in the United States).

More important, he said "I cannot tell you what the board will decide, but my opinion is well known". This is in line with the rumours that Audi USA would be willing to foot the bill for a new Audi racer.

Take that, Aysedasi!

Cheers,

Muzza

JAG · 14 Jun 2003, 20:49 (Ref:631541)

Its been reported that Audi are building an LMGTP for 2004 that may test this year, they have the budget anyway.

Of course theres still got to be the official seal of approval from the Audi/VW board.

The Audi USA backing for a new protoype will also be important.

**FIRE** · 14 Jun 2003, 20:50 (Ref:631547)

I hope it's not a GTP.

pirenzo · 14 Jun 2003, 20:57 (Ref:631554)

It will be a GTP, GTP's will be the faster option in '04

JAG · 14 Jun 2003, 21:13 (Ref:631568)

I love GTPs, the more the better.

SFonseca · 14 Jun 2003, 22:54 (Ref:631628)

Dindo Cappello said Diesel

JAG · 14 Jun 2003, 23:30 (Ref:631649)

Ricardo Diesal?

Could be the new marketing angle for a new LM campaign.

Speeddemon555 · 14 Jun 2003, 23:48 (Ref:631658)

Hmmm, I knew that Audi is not going to leave sportscar racing altogether. Bentley will have competition next year.

evo · 15 Jun 2003, 00:37 (Ref:631683)

Doesn't VW/Audi Group own Bentley?

gttouring · 15 Jun 2003, 01:13 (Ref:631709)

yes VAG is audi/porsche/VW/ bentley/Lamborghini...seat, proton,... and what else do they wait STARBUCKS just bought VAG and GM and Toyota

no really LMGTP they are the best, I hope Audi R9 will be one.

JAG · 15 Jun 2003, 01:31 (Ref:631718)

VAG dosent own Porsche though have some links

JAG · 15 Jun 2003, 01:33 (Ref:631719)

If/When Audi come back with an LMGTP (maybe diesal) Bentley will prob pull out.

Maybe some privateer Bentleys though

RM40 · 15 Jun 2003, 03:00 (Ref:631747)

The Bentleys will go into a musuem after tonight. I am willing to bet money on that.

Muzza · 15 Jun 2003, 04:18 (Ref:631754)

Quote:

Originally posted by gttouring
yes VAG is audi/porsche/VW/ bentley/Lamborghini...seat, proton,... (...)

No, VAG does not own Porsche - I also believed that once, and insisted so much on it that I felt necessary to issue a public apology when I discovered that I was wrong...

For further details, please check "The Official "Porsche is NOT owned by Volkswagen" Thread!" at http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...hreadid=20896.

Cheers,

Muzza

alfasud · 15 Jun 2003, 06:38 (Ref:631780)

While I'm not quite sure about RM40's "museum" prediction, a Bentley win will allow VAG to say that Bentley have had their turn and Audi can proceed with the R8 replacement.

pirenzo · 15 Jun 2003, 07:16 (Ref:631795)

Quote:

Originally posted by RM40
The Bentleys will go into a musuem after tonight. I am willing to bet money on that.

Well, if it's not agrees that someone will bring them back next year in the next few months, then you are probably right

SFonseca · 15 Jun 2003, 18:33 (Ref:632114)

Amigo Muzza ainda bem que voltou

If Audi returns to Le Mans with a prototype it will be fitted with a Diesel engine.

JAG · 15 Jun 2003, 20:03 (Ref:632216)

Ulrich said in Autosport a few weeks back they have investigated a diesal, but left it at that.

gttouring · 15 Jun 2003, 20:42 (Ref:632280)

yes indeed Porsche seems to be a different entity, How can we explain the par swapping available to VW's Audi's and Porsche?
I saw a beetle(02) with Porsche turbo rims and a kkk turbo and wings/mirrors/lights all in it at the VW garage, they were servicing it it caused quite a stir...any way do they have more than a link than is publicised because it seems so obvious now even if the history wasn't there? what gives here?

JAG · 15 Jun 2003, 20:45 (Ref:632286)

The bosses at VW/Porsche have worked for each company and have have close links.

917Addicted · 15 Jun 2003, 22:15 (Ref:632375)

Ferdinand Piech (the former CEO at VAG) ows a small part (well +-12% of Porsche AG is not that small) of porsche because of its family ties with the Porsche family (there was some "fights" for it between the Piech and Porsche's families way back in the 70's.

Many people think the R8 is based around the porsche LMP2000. However, both cars are very different (one has a v8-twin turbo engine while the other "would" have a v10-normaly aspirated engine). Believe me, the R8 is more Dallara than Porsche!

Hammerwerfer · 16 Jun 2003, 07:51 (Ref:632632)

VAG should just rotate the racing team through their various divisions. How about a Bugatti racing a Lamborghini next year? It really doens't matter what the label says anymore. Whatever the marketing guys think will get the most publicity is all that counts...

cybersdorf · 16 Jun 2003, 10:49 (Ref:632786)

Quote:

Originally posted by gttouring
yes indeed Porsche seems to be a different entity, How can we explain the par swapping available to VW's Audi's and Porsche?

Porsche does development work for other manufacturers. The Touareg/Cayenne supertruck is a joint venture. They have developed all sorts of stuff for all sorts of manufacturers.

Quote:

I saw a beetle(02) with Porsche turbo rims and a kkk turbo and wings/mirrors/lights all in it at the VW garage

The work of a misguided tuner. A load of cr*p with Porsche wheels is still a load of cr*p.

Quote:

they were servicing it it caused quite a stir...any way do they have more than a link than is publicised because it seems so obvious now even if the history wasn't there? what gives here?

It's the people. I believe the Porsche family even owns some very small share of VW (the professor designed that car remember). Also, the Porsche family isn't actively involved in the running of its own company anymore; they pulled out in the early 70s after rivalry between the Porsche and Piech sides of the clan began to have a negative effect on the business, and the racing (case in point: Porsche Salzburg). Therefore, Ferdinand Piech went to work for VW.

Porsche and VW are not economically linked.

Smokey 6 litre · 16 Jun 2003, 11:34 (Ref:632827)

Quote:

Originally posted by JAG
Bentley will prob pull out.

Maybe some privateer Bentleys though

i dont think there will be any privateer Bentleys, IF Audi run a GTP in 2004 is there going to be NO-ONE to challange them, if Bentley pull out, suley there will be only privateer Audis, which should still be going to challange them.

SJ Spode · 16 Jun 2003, 11:34 (Ref:632828)

IMO Bentley should be allowed to run as a works team in 2004, with the new Audi competing as a developmental machine before a full Audi onslaught in '05.

That might stretch the resources though as it appears that many of the Bentley pit crew/staff were Joest staff who've been there with Audi the last few years.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Trois Riveres - Audi - Audi - Panoz - Corvette?	vandijk	Sportscar & GT Racing	13	5 Aug 2003 23:06
Audi to build Coupe?	Adam43	Sportscar & GT Racing	9	20 Nov 2002 14:43
Dome to build 360	pink69	Sportscar & GT Racing	4	30 Jun 2002 14:19
Should AGS Motorsport build a new Audi A4 for the 2002 ETCC for Roberto Colciago?	Michael H	Touring Car Racing	6	2 Jan 2002 01:17