Confirming earlier reports, Hackenberg told Top Gear the Sport Quattro GT will drop the concept’s 700-horsepower hybrid drivetrain in favor of a traditional powerplant to bring costs down. Unconfirmed reports point to the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine from the RS Q3 as a likely choice, tuned for 360 horsepower.
“We used a powerful powertrain to position it,” the engineer said. “But the potential is to have more volume. It needs a high investment so it makes sense to use other engines.”
Despite the presumable drop in power, the car will still be positioned above the TT but below the R8 as a “comfortable GT” four-seater. It is expected to be built upon the company’s next-generation modular longitudinal matrix (MLB) platform, with extensive use of lightweight materials.
Audi is also said to be seriously considering a crossover TT similar to the Allroad Shooting Brake concept that was previewed in Detroit earlier this year. Hackenberg suggests such a vehicle would have a “big group of fans” as smaller crossovers continue to gain in popularity.
The chief engineer also raised hope that the R8 e-tron will make it to market, noting that the company has worked to resolve two limiting factors that stalled the project: range and price. Part of the solution is claimed to focus on improvements to the modular batteries.
“It’s been a success,” Hackenberg said. “I’m discussing with the board to use this car as a technology carrier for us. Bringing it to market is my personal target.”
The production Sport Quattro GT isn’t expected to arrive until 2016 or 2017, while the next-generation TT–in coupe form–is believed to be headed to Geneva. A time-frame for the R8 e-tron remains unclear.
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