Audi Q6: Ingolstadt’s BMW X6 competitor in the works
Audi has been hard at work to expand their Q-SUV lineup. And with growing success in terms of sales and the already preexisting Q-lineup, Audi is planning to introduce more Q-SUVs.
It first started off with the Q7, which in 2010 increased production by 37.1% due to a height in sales. The Q5 grew by 32.4% and with the Q3 on the way, Audi’s SUV sales are very much nearing 250,000 units. That’s about to significantly increase because Audi’s Q6 crossover SUV that will go against the likes of the BMW X6 and the Infiniti FX is very much on its way after receiving a green light for production earlier this year.
In other news with Audi’s SUV lineup, the current Q7 is expected to be replaced by an all-new model in 2014 and will be based on Audi’s new MLB Evo architecture. The new platform is said to be 300kg lighter, feature an aluminum body and be available in plug-in form.
The next generation Q5 is slated for a mid-2016 release and will also be based on the MLB Evo allowing it to be lighter as well. The Q6 is also pegged for a 2016 release and lastly, Audi has been rumored to be working on a two-door SUV called the Q4.
And lastly, another rumor is floating around that Audi may also be considering a full-size Q9. However, Audi’s boss Rupert Stadler said: “We looked at this segment long and hard. Right now, I am inclined to ignore it. Why? Because full-size SUVs sell only in certain markets, because we are putting a strong emphasis on reducing the weight and bulk of our vehicles, and because a Q9 would not create much incremental brand value. There is no doubt however that crossovers are still selling like hot cakes even though the trend seems to shift towards more compact models.”
– By: Chris Chin
Source: CAR
