Automobiles - "New" Audi R4

Rumors have been floating around concerning a possible upcoming expansion of Audi´s "R" roadcar model "line up" (in quotation marks since there´s only one yet, the supercar R8) after the great general feedback after the R8 release.

Well, things are starting to take shape. A quite appealing shape if you ask me. Of course nobody can expect an expansion upwards of the R8 which is quite impossible at its price tag of 104.400 € or about 145.000 $. But considering Volkswagen´s and Audi´s huge inventory of car parts, a lower-end model could really pay off.

We are talking about a possible R4 model, the R8´s smaller brother.
The R4 - if produced - will follow the R8 concept of a mid-engine and 2 seats (theres only that much space since the engine takes half of the whole car). It´s likely to not feature the ASF (aluminium space frame) but a more cost-effective steel spaceframe and aluminium body parts combination. However, the R4 still not weigh much more than 1200 kg (should only be higher if many interior options are ordered).
The car will feature the well-known 2.0l TFSI engine which will get a power upgrade to 270-280 horse power (probably thanks to bigger turbo chargers).
A possible RS version - don´t ask how the naming would work - will see the comeback of Audi´s most popular engine type, the in-line-5. In particular with a displacement of about 2.5l, turbo charged for a power output of up to 360 horse power, a number Audi usually achieves with their 4.2l V8 FSI engine found in the flagship model A8.

At a weight of 1200 kg, every horse power of the RS version would have to move only 3.3 kg which is far less than the Lamborghini Gallardo for example which has a rating of 4.2 kg/hp in its latest "Superleggera" (= "super light") evolution.

The R4 would be a perfect contender against the Porsche Cayman. And with such cars, we´re talking about a prestigious battle. The R4 will likely win here since Audi could price the car competitively due to low development costs.
The battle for big sales however is fought against BMW´s Z4 coupé, 3-series coupé (330 and up) and Mercedes Benz CLK, SLK models (whatever these models will look like by then).
It is safe to say that the R4 will offer far superior performance (thanks to its mid-engine and probably quattro 4WD) but as a brand new model it will probably more expensive than the competitors. It might come down to heart vs. mind.