At the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Audi->ke14 technical chief Wolfgang Durheimer confirmed that, along with the Le Mans-inspired hypercar, Audi could still offer a Boxster-sized sports car. This statement puts the R4 back in the cards, after being up and down for quite some time.

Durheimer confirmed that Audi has space for two different sports cars in the lineup -- one placed above the R8->ke1440 and one under it. The smaller one will be about the same size as the Porsche Boxster->ke570 and has already been in "design, packaging and evaluation," but the market wasn't quite ready for it. Audi wants a mid-engine sports car added to its lineup, but it will have to deliver "perfect weight distribution and perfect handling" and in the same time offer it at an affordable price.

As for the one placed above the R8, Durheimer said that Audi still has to make a decision on it, but he has big hopes to create one. However, it looks like if built, the model will not be offered with a diesel-electric->ke1030 hybrid powertrain, because keys markets like China and North America don’t have much support for diesel cars.

Hit the jump for more details on the Audi R4.

Audi R4

A possible Audi R4 has been rumored ever since Volkswagen dropped the BlueSport Concept on the market. However, after people got really excited about the model, Audi decided that the market was not ready for it and everything pretty much went quiet.

The R4 is rumored to be powered by 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an output of about 280 horsepower. Another rumors suggest the R4 could use a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo producing around 400 horsepower - unlikely, considering it will be placed under the R8.

If built, the R4 would likely be priced somewhere in the $40,000 range.