As previously announced, Audi will launch 15 new models by the end of this decade, paying special attention to the development of vehicles for the crossover-utility (CUV) market. This segment appears to be promising for automakers, even Audi executives said they see it as a great sales and growth potential.
Specifically, the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept is a large vehicle on the outside but not so much on the inside, with four seats and little trunk capacity. However, it will not be the smallest CUV of Audi, since for that position the Q3 will be offered within a couple of years.
The Cross Coupe Quattro is equipped with a turbodiesel engine of 4 cylinders in line of 2.000 cm3. This impeller delivers a power of 204 hp and 400Nm maximum torque. Highlights include the particulate filter and the common-rail fuel injection system.
The future Q5 model will also incorporate FSI direct injection nafteros engines and other technical advances in on-board safety and performance.
More of the technology applied can be seen in the front lights, which use LEDs for both lighting and positioning and turning headlights. This concept also features Bluetec filter, all-wheel drive Haldex, ceramic brake discs and S-tronic transmission.
It may be remarkable that Audi is introducing a new product outside Germany, but for market savvy people it is not. Clearly, Audi is expanding its horizons far beyond Europe and the United States, starting now with an interesting attempt at positioning in China.
As explained above, this concept will materialize in the new Audi Q5 in about a year. The main platform of the vehicle will be the same as it will be used in the new A5 and S5 models, as well as in the new generation of the A4.
The direct market competitors of the Audi Q5 will be the Acura RDX, the BMW X3 and in the US market especially the Infiniti EX35.
This vehicle, quite close to the real needs of today's world, responds mainly to design trends that capture the user from the aesthetics and performance outlined in the brochures, and not so much because of its incoherent qualities for our little overcrowded world in resources.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
Audi TT Club Sport Quattro
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