Audi has given the green signal for the production of its entry-level SUV, the Audi Q1. Positioned slightly below the Q3, the Q1 will stand out as the smallest premium crossover on the market. The illustrations from the various sources expands on the sketch released when Audi announced the Q1 would enter production; the final design will draw from the Crosslane Coupé concept that debuted at last year’s Paris Auto Show. Though the concept had a three-door body shape, Q1 will be launched as a five-door SUV only. The interior will be contemporary and upscale especially considering its size, and it’s possible that instrumentation will be entirely digital. The Audi Q1 is designed to give Audi a lead in the fast-growing small-crossover segment. “It is part of a broad Q-model strategy,” said Mr. Rupert Stadler, CEO, Audi AG.
The 2016 Audi Q1 is expected to be revealed for European markets early in 2015. Apart from the Europe launch, the car may be launched in the US, although it doesn’t appear to be a strong possibility. The expected base price is roughly around $25,000, which after hitting the Indian shores will shoot up to Rs. 20-25 Lakh courtesy the taxes and duties. The Audi Q1 will rival Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-class.
Having filled almost every number from A1 to A8 in its car line-up, Audi is set to follow suit with its SUV range. The Q family currently comprises the Audi Q3, RS Q3, Q5, SQ5 and Q7, with Q5 as the global market leader in its direct competitive environment. The new baby crossover will make use of the VW Group’s versatile MQB architecture. It will use the smallest version of this platform, which it will share with the all-new VW Polo (due in 2015) and next Audi A1, set to appear in 2016.
The backbone of the Q1’s powertrain lineup will be a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder petrol mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It will be supplemented by a 1.4-liter TDI turbo-diesel. An SQ1 variant will follow, powered by a 230 BHP, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder petrol. A plug-in hybrid variant of the SUV is expected too, using a 1.2-liter four-banger as its foundation. If the Q1 were to make it to India the petrol and diesel burning 1.4-litre engines would be the only powertrains available. Front-wheel drive will be standard, but Quattro all-wheel drive will be an option.
Perhaps of more significance than the expansion of the Q brand is what the Q1’s design means for the future of Q models. The Crosslane Coupé’s design was supposed to singal a new design direction for Audi’s SUVs, and much of its look can be seen in the Q1.
Photo Gallery: 2012 Audi Crosslane Coupe Concept
We will keep you posted with further developments, until then do let us know what you think of the Audi Q1
Pic Coustesy: largus.com
