All Cars, All the Time

Audi Future Product News




Watching Autoline Detroit this weekend the special guest was Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President in charge of Audi of America, Inc. Part of the discussion was regarding future models. Here are a few tidbits:

Diesels in USA? There would be incremental cost to meet US regulations and they are discussing the issue right now. Audi is evaluating the business case for diesel is the USA: the combination of Q7 and diesel offers significant promise, but they would consider expanding it to other models as well.

What additional segment will Audi expand into? First there was the Q7 and next there will be second, smaller SUV (Q5?). A third, crossover model is being evaluated. The name Q3 has been used in the media when discussing the future third model, but de Nysschen said "It is not an an in house name (Q3) and I am almost willing to confirm to you today that there will be no such product" so look for the vehicle to wear a different badge. The sports car lineup will also be expanded. There is the new TT coming and it will be the junior entry in the sports car lineup. The R8 supercar is well on the way and there will be at least one model in between those two. The next generation A4 and A6 will spawn new model variants such as coupes and crossovers.

A2 for USA? Audi has been watching Mini--they think it has been brilliantly marketed. The A3 sits above the Mini and they are looking at what market might exist below the A3, but there will be no A2 for the USA in the near future.

When will RS4's Arrive at Dealerships? Deliveries will start towards the end of May.