With the current gas prices being as high as they are across the world, more and more automakers are rushing to offer smaller, more fuel-efficient products. Audi is the latest to join the trend, as today’s reports have the German luxury automaker bringing its smallest SUV to the market by 2012.
The small SUV, originally believed to be called Q3, would compete with the upcoming BMW X1 and Mini Crossman. The VP of Audi of America recently announced plans for the small crossover, but the most recent reports from Germany’s AutoZeitung say the X1 rival will be called the Q1. While that doesn’t sound very original, the crossover would be based on the company’s A1 passenger car platform, so it’s at least logical.
To be underpinned by a longer and stronger version of the next-generation Volkswagen Polo architecture, known internally as PQ24, the new Q should get a body that is just over 155 inches in length.
Powerplants will include VW’s 1.4-liter TFSI inline-four engine that can be had in a 125 horsepower and 150hp versions, with North American versions also likely getting the 2.0 inline-four TFSI good for 200hp model is also expected. European models will receive two diesel engines, including an 80hp 1.2-liter turbodiesel and a 1.6-liter TDI with up to 119hp.
06/12, 12:28 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Since its based on a Tiguan they should call it the Tiguaudi.
06/12, 12:34 PM
posted by:
xyunya
If it is smaller version of Tiguan it should be called ” Circumcised Tiquan”. I know 2 words, but meaningful.
06/12, 1:01 PM
posted by:
Jordan
just because it’s an audi doesn’t make it jewish, sheesh.
06/12, 1:05 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Audi certainly is not Jewish. There are over 2 billion circumcised Muslim pricks in the world.
06/12, 1:40 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
If it is based on the Polo platform it will not be related to the Tiguan, since that vehicle is based on the Golf platform.
06/12, 2:24 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Wow, we’ll get it in 4 years? Good thing Audi doesn’t run the fire department.
- “Guten tag. Audi Fire Department.”
- (frantic) “Jah! My house is on fire!! Hurry!!”
- “Jah. Sank you for calling. Ve vill be zere next Tuesday. Is dat good?”
- (very frantic) “NEIN! You must come NOW! Zee fire is everyvere!”
- “Jah. OK. Vhen Dieter and I finish our strudel, vee vill try to get zere soon. Is tomorrow at 4pm good?”
- (mad and frantic) “Arschloch! Vee need you NOW! Do you..”
- “Danke. Sank you!”
06/12, 2:30 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
06/12, 3:41 PM
posted by:
nickkop
exactly, NoNameDenton. you beat me to the correction. Audi better offer the 140hp 2.0 tdi here in the U.S. and ill be all over either the Q1 or the Q5 within a few months of introduction
06/12, 4:11 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
I agree with that, the TDI would be a good addition to Audi, since BMW is bringing diesels here and Mercedes Benz already has diesels here.
06/12, 7:22 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Maybe Audi is planning to rename the Q5 as the Q4.. if Q1 will be based on A1 mechanicals, then it would follow that the Q5, which is based on A4 mechanicals, should be called Q4.
06/12, 7:23 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
…that would leave room for Audi to come out with a SUV coupe (a la BMW X6) of their own, based on the A5 and called the Q5.
06/12, 7:31 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
That is probably very close to the truth zoomzoomer.
06/12, 8:37 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Now here is an Audi to look forward to:
As part of its new model blitz to drive its offerings up from the current 23 cars to a total of 40, Audi is augmenting its lineup with new coupes, soft-roaders and sedans. The S5 and A5 are already announced and the Q5 will be coming soon, but not long after Audi plans to bring its A7 four-door coupe to market. The latest details reveal a car targeted at premium buyers with a taste for style and power.
A very wide range of powertrains will be offered in the A7 and its S7 and RS7 sport-focused variants. Everything from diesel-electric hybrids to 600hp V10s will be found under the hood of one variant or another. The hybrid drive is expected to show up first in the company’s Q5 soft-roader, making its A7 appearance later next year, reports AutoWeek. A diesel-electric version is rumored, but the company may end up using a petrol engine instead.
The more ordinary A7 variants will be powered by a pair of petrol V6s. The first, a 204hp 2.8L engine is the base model, while the 3.0L supercharged engine making 300hp will be the first step up. An upgrade to S7 trim will bring with it another 94hp in the form of a 4.0L V8. The RS7’s 600hp 5.2L V10 is the range-topper. The S7 and RS7 will be released a year two years apart, with the S7 arriving first in late 2010.
A six-speed manual gearbox and eight-speed automatic will be available in the lower-spec models, while a seven-speed dual-clutch unit is also expected to be offered in the higher-performance variants. U.S. models are also expected to get Audi’s quattro AWD standard, though it is not known if European market variants will have a RWD-only option. Audi’s new torque-vectoring system will also be part of the package.
Air suspension will replace the standard spring-based system found in other Audis. The change is designed to help the car compete with the progenitor of the four-door coupe genre, the Mercedes CLS. Sales of the car are only expected to reach the 40,000 mark, but the image boost it will offer with its high-tech features and glamorous look – especially in the soft-top variant – are important for Audi’s development as a brand.
06/12, 10:04 PM
posted by:
Veda
This would be a nice upgrade from the Suzuki SX4 for someone looking for a small all-purpose vehicle but without the lack of luxury.
06/13, 7:50 PM
posted by:
A4
i thought it wasnt going to be called Q anything because of Infiniti’s tie up with the “Q” brand?