Audi Doesn't Want Anyone to Forget That It's Germany's Next SUV Brand
Audi issued a press release today to remind the world that it’s going to be Germany’s preeminent source for sport utility vehicles. While every major automaker is making a push into the segment, Volkswagen Group has assigned Audi with one of the largest.
Today, the company outlined its production strategy for the forthcoming Q4 and Q8 models, reaffirming its claim that crossovers could account for half of its global sales in the very near future. By 2019, Audi will have expanded its SUV lineup to include seven individual models and increased its overall production volume to meet the growing demand.
“We will integrate two completely new Q‑models into the existing production network and will thus increase our competitiveness in an extremely important segment,” said Audi management board member Dr. Hubert Waltl in an official statement.
Both of the new vehicles will have a similar, bulbous “coupe styling” and ride much higher than traditional sedans. Audi will begin production of the Q4 at Audi Hungaria in Győr in 2019, while the hulking Q8 starts assembly early next year in Bratislava — alongside the Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, Bentley Bentayga, and Porsche Cayenne.
The Q8 will take the reigns as Audi’s new flagship SUV and should look almost identical to the Q8 Sport Concept that appeared at the North American International Auto Show in January. It’ll place an emphasis on luxury, include the company’s best bits of tech, and come in well over the Q7’s $49,000 base price tag.
Meanwhile, the Q4 will be positioned between the Q3 and Q5 in both size and price. While Audi has time to change its mind, early accounts indicate it is most likely to resemble the TT Offroad concept from the 2014 Beijing Motor Show and focus more on performance than prestige.
[Image: © 2017 Jeff Wilson/The Truth About Cars]
Consumer advocate tracking industry trends, regulation, and the bitter-sweet nature of modern automotive tech. Research focused and gut driven.
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My sister ordered a Q7 several years ago. When it arrived there was a wee champagne ceremony at the dealership for the key fobs handover. My brother-in-law said, "That's not the car we ordered." After an hour of confusion, during which my sister reminded the dealership of an impending road trip, they gave my sister the keys to the incorrect Q7 and said they'd be in touch when they found her car. They loved the Q7. Tons of power but a little thirsty for a Diesel, apparently. The dealership called in a panic two weeks later. My sisters' car had arrived, which was great, but the one that was delivered by accident wasn't actually allowed to be in Canada - never mind on the road. They'd somehow given her a V12 TDI-powered Q7. Suffice to say my brother-in-law was quite disappointed with the power of the 3.0L compared to the 6.0L.
I get the angry sentiment too but in my own personal life I can understand the draw. Two kids with a third in the future, two dogs, and frequent 400+ mile road trips would be massively impractical in a sedan, even an S-class, and having the Americans and Toyota as the only options for spacious three-rows kind of sucks to be honest. That's why I shopped for a Q7 and ended up with a GL450.