AIMS: Audi no-go for V8 Supercars

Audi has rejected rumours out of hand it is considering joining the V8Supercar ranks. Despite news the series will contest a round in the USA within two years,  Australian Audi boss Uwe Hagen (pictured) has dismissed rumours surrounding the German prestige manufacturer in the upcoming ‘Car of the Future’ (CoF) V8 Supercar series.

Speaking at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne, Hagen told motoring.com.au that the speculation that Audi was preparing for the upcoming series was unfounded.

Audi Australia company spokesperson, Sean Poppitt continued the rejection – forcefully.

“It’s complete rubbish,” exclaimed Poppitt.

“I can categorically tell you that Audi has no plans to participate in Car of the Future series. V8 Supercars is not an area of motorsport we are seeking to be involved in.”

Audi is the second prestige German manufacturer to be plagued by such rumours. Mercedes-Benz was also considered a potential candidate for the revised all-V8 race series, scheduled to come in to play from 2013.

The Car of the Future formula is being spruiked by its creators as an ‘evolution’ of the current format. The new series aims to entice new brands and teams into V8 Supercar racing which is currently limited only to Ford and Holden. The new guidelines state newcomers should be a car consisting of four doors, rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine, although not necessarily of 5.0-litres displacement.

All cars will also run 18-inch wheels, feature independent rear suspension and have a fuel tank located forward of the rear axle.

Candidates conceivably qualified to meet the new regulations include German trio Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Korean manufacturer Hyundai, Japanese makers Nissan/Infiniti and Toyota/Lexus, as well as American mainstay, Chrysler. However at this stage no manufacturer outside the Aussie pairing has admitted any interest in participation.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...