Does the world need another crossover SUV? Audi thinks so, and they look to be adding a few new ones in their quest to unseat BMW. Like it or not, BMW seems to continually be in the driver’s seat of the luxury segment. Which is fitting because you know, they’re the Ultimate Driving Machine right?
BMW has steadily increased its lineup with X crossover vehicles, as well as the “out there” 5-Series Gran Turismo. Most of these (save for the Gran Turismo) have met sales success. Audi wants a piece of that pie. They intend to be the world’s largest premium manufacturer by 2015, another piece of the Volkswagen Group’s goal to be number one by 2018.
To be the world’s largest, Audi will need a diverse lineup. So, what’s next for the company that recently introduced new models like the A7 Sportback, A5 Sportback, Q3 and A1? A Q6 apparently, which will go head-to-head with BMW’s segment-blending X6. Q6 and X6 seems a little to close for comfort as far as monikers go, but we’ll let Audi’s planners determine that.
Most of the aforementioned models are for international markets only (at least for now), but the Q6 would be a global product. At the Bologna Auto Show, VW Group design head Walter de’Silva confirmed the new addition to the lineup.
“We will definitely launch a sportier crossover in between the Q7 and Q5,” said de’ Silva. Sources say the Q6 will be based on the hot-sellng Q5, but will feature a rakish roofline, aggressive design and performance slant. The Q6 isn’t the only crossover in the works though. Audi is also said to have an Q4 slated compete against – you guessed it – the BMW X4 that is confirmed to go on sale in 2014. Crossovers are where it’s at. In the United States, Audi only offers two at the moment: Q5 and Q7. You can count on that figure to increase in the near future.
