Audi plans to expand Q-model family

Detroit, January 17, 2014: A whole suite of new Audi Q models are planned by the company, including a Q1 and crossovers that mix MPV and SUV traits.

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Audi technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg said the Q range had “lots of potential”.

A Q1 model is planned for 2016. It will be based on the firm’s MQB platform and be built in Germany, with production of the next-generation Q5 shifting to Mexico to make production capacity for it.

“We can go up after that [with a Q8 or Q9] and can also go in between our current Q cars with a model between the Q3 and Q5 or one between the Q5 and Q7,” said Hackenberg. “These are projects we are discussing and working on.

“You can go sportier with Q cars but you can also be more MPV like with more seats. Q can be a way of thinking, presenting a lifestyle. We need cars with more seats; MPVs are not fashionable but MPVs are, so why not combine both? The Q6 is a theory for this.”

MARK TISSHAW, AUTOCAR UK

Photograph: Q7 assembly operation at Aurangabad.