Audi To Bring Cars With New Body Styles To India; Could It Be The A1, Q2 or Q8?

The German carmaker had announced new additions to the Q range of SUVs and new body forms during the launch of the Q5 petrol SUV

Audi recently launched the Q5 with a petrol motor in India and in the process teased us with some information about its upcoming products as well. Rahil Ansari, Head, Audi India, said at the launch that the brand is looking to expand the Q series of SUVs in India in the coming days. Audi is also said to be contemplating introduction of cars with new body types i.e. cars that are neither SUVs nor sedans.

Currently, Audi has a comprehensive lineup of products, which includes sedans like the A3 and A8 and performance sedans like the S5 and RS7. For a raised ride experience, there are SUVs like the Q3 to Q7, and coupes like the TT and R8 on the other extreme. Then there’s one for the soccer moms who’d like a big V8 in their station wagons, the RS 6 Avant. But despite such a diverse portfolio, Audi is missing in a few segments and that is where some of its global products like the Q8, Q2 and an even smaller A1 can come in. Let’s look at the current situation and check out the possibility of these three cars making it to our shores.

Audi A1 - Hatchback

The A1, as the numeral in its name suggests, is Audi’s entry-level hatchback. It is based on Volkswagen’s MQB A0 platform, which will be locally manufactured in India and also forms the basis of the upcoming sixth-gen Polo and several other compact VW Group products. The A1 could be the frontrunner in the products Audi will consider for India under the A3 and Q3.

Audi Q2 - Small crossover

Audi has been looking to get aggressive in the Indian market and has been vocal about its plans of exploring the price point below the A3 sedan and Q3 SUV. It has a small crossover in the Q2, which has been on sale in Thailand for more than an year now. The Q2 is underpinned by the MQB platform, which can sustain numerous body forms and is already in use for models sold in India such as the A3 and other models from the VW umbrella such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Superb, VW Tiguan and Passat.

Recently revealed: Audi A4 Facelift

Audi Q8 - High-rider coupe

The Q8 is a high-rider coupe that Audi revealed some time back. But even before its official unveil, it was spotted testing in India. The Q8 will be positioned above the current flagship Audi SUV, the Q7. With its upright, aggressive and rakish profile, the Q8 looks perfectly poised for buyers looking to buy a premium lifestyle vehicle with loads of road presence. Check out more details of the Q8 here.

Coming soon: Audi Q3, Q7 Design Editions

Conventionally powered Audi models aren’t the only ones coming to the market as the Ingolstadt-based carmaker is also working on an expensive long-range electric SUV which should reach our shores by the end of 2020.