Audi to make Seven-alike roadster?

Bike-maker link means 700kg and 250bhp

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 15 March 2006 / Loading comments

Caterham Seven: inspiration

Rumours about a low-weight, Caterham-alike sports car emerging from (of all manufacturers) Audi, have been circulating for a few weeks. They first emerged in an Austrian magazine, Kleine Zeitung, which suggested that Audi and Austrian motorcycle maker KTM have been jointly and secretly developing a sporty roadster.

The 700kg Audi-KTM roadster would be purist in approach, inspired by the Seven but more motorbike-like -- suggestions are that you'll need a helmet to drive it -- and that it'll arrive in 2007.

Motive power is likely to come from a 250bhp 2.0-litre TFSI engine -- destined for the next S3. If true, it'll possess a power/weight ratio akin to that of the Ferrari 599 GTB.

There's no word yet on whether it'll happen but Audi boss Martin Winterkorn is believed to be in favour of the project, with a decision on the cards soon. Should it happen, expect a revelation at the Bologna Motor Show in December.

We don't have pix but Dutch artist Michiel Van Den Brink has produced sketches of the machine (see link below).