Attention, Sport Wagon Enthusiasts: It's Time to Write Audi Some Letters

Back in 2016, Audi announced it would be going mental with its high-performance RS models, delivering eight new rip-roaring RennSports by the end of 2018. It even said it would ship some to the United States, though there wasn’t to be a single wagon among them. In fact, Audi’s entire American lineup is piss poor when it comes to liftbacks in general — despite Europe being flush with them.

Sure, the U.S. has a few sportbacks on offer. But the only vehicles that even begin to approach wagondom are an economy minded hatchback (the A3 e-tron) and an extra car-like crossover (the A4 Allroad). So, where does that leave wagon fans who might want to occasionally burn some rubber? Out of luck.

Fortunately, luck can change. Audi’s vice president of product management said shipping RS Avants to North America isn’t out of the question if the company thinks there could be a market for them. All wagon fans need to do is establish a write-in campaign pleading for them.

“We always look at potential new opportunities in the market. It’s a niche to explore,” Filip Brabec, VP of product management for Audi of America, told Motor Trend in a recent interview. “We keep holding discussions. Keep writing us letters.”

Threats to the manufacturer are probably taking things too far. Instead, we’d recommend trying to convince Audi that sport wagons are making a comeback. Mercedes-AMG sent the E 63 S Wagon to the states and Porsche is doing the same with the Panamera Sport Turismo. Is Audi scared the RS 6 Avant can’t hang with the big boys?

Of course it can. But we don’t have to let Audi know that we know that; we just have to tell it that we’d love for the RS 6 to have a chance to prove itself in the U.S. That goes double for the RS 4 Avant. If that manufacturer doesn’t realize there is a market for good looks, tire-shredding performance, and enhanced practicality, we’re practically obligated to issue a reminder.

There’s also a chance Audi doesn’t even realize how America see sport wagons. It often feels like European automakers automatically presume we’ll hate them without ever giving us a real opportunity to purchase one. “The RS 6 and RS 4 Avants are well accepted in Europe,” explained Michael Renz, the new head of Audi Sport worldwide. “In the U.S., it might be a different situation.”

“The Sportback offers more image than the Avant. There is a clear hierarchy,” he continued. “The Sportback is for young families who are looking for a sporty, fashion-oriented car with functionality that they can put the kids in. The Avant customer is a little bit older, more entrepreneurial.”

In the United States, we’d estimate the average Avant shopper would probably be from that same demographic. Someone who loves to drive, has a bit of money, and only wants one car sounds like the perfect sport wagon candidate. Meanwhile, the dude with the family will probably just buy an SUV.

[Image: Audi]