Audi R8 convertible and TTS may make Detroit debut

Fortitude.com appear to have let the cat out of the bag regarding Audi’s plans for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit during January 2008. According to their sources Audi will be putting the emphasis on performance in Detroit and intend to field an R8 based concept and the new TTS.

The details are sketchy but we know Audi are working on a V10 R8 and the rumours surrounding an open top R8 have been persistent. Fortitude.com are suggesting expect one or the other and possibly the two combined, or in other words a V10 R8 convertible…maybe.

The drawing above was released by Audi’s design studios a few weeks ago and distributed to “select” press outlets – or so the story goes…

The Audi TTS has already been spotted doing the obligatory test laps of the Nurburgring and Fortitude.com’s sources suggest that Detroit will be the venue at which the covers are taken off the full production version. The image above is care of Fortitude.com and is an artists impression of what to expect. Not hard to guess at given the mild cosmetic differentiation that the Audi S models have traditionally received.

Powering the TTS will be the S3’s 2.0T 198kW/265 hp engine with the possibility of a tuning tweak, although given the TT’s alloy chassis and lighter weight (compared to the S3), performance would be more than acceptable in standard S3 trim.

Now all thats left to do is wait...

[Source: Fourtitude.com]