Audi Q1/Q2 crossover rumours resurface

Reports about German luxury car giant Audi expanding the Q range of luxury crossovers have been around for a while now. Audi is slated to launch four new crossovers in the coming years under the Q2, Q4, Q6 and Q8 badges. The even-numbered Q range of crossovers are likely to be jacked-up, road-going versions while the odd-numbered Q range of crossovers will have a modicum of off road-ability, a trait shared with traditional SUVs. 

Note: The image of the Audi CrossLane Crossover Concept has been used for illustrative purposes. 

The Q1 and Q2 badges have been used interchangeably in the past and with this background in mind, the latest AutoBild report revealing details of the Audi Q1 may be considered. The Audi Q1 is likely to make its debut in early 2016 with the crossover said to share its underpinnings with the next-generation Polo hatchback. The 2014 Polo hatchback, due to be launched globally next year, will be based on the Volkswagen group's MQB platform. Therefore, expect the Audi Q1 to follow suit.

Other details revealed about the Audi Q1 include its 3.8 meter length (A small car according to Indian classification norms), choice of turbo petrol, turbo diesel and hybrid powerplants, tall ground clearance and front wheel drive layout. A relatively high seating position and butch styling oriented towards the SUV class is said to be maintained on the Q1 crossover. The Audi Q1 seems like an out-and-out urban crossover, akin to the Ford EcoSports and the Peugeot 2008s of this world.

A 1.4 liter TSI turbo petrol engine, a 1.4 liter TDI turbo diesel engine, and a 1.2 liter TSI engine-electric motor mix for the hybrid option are the four motors speculated to find use in the Audi Q1. A sportier SQ1 variant with a 2 liter turbo petrol engine is also speculated to make it to production. Audi did showcase the Crosslane Concept at last year's Paris Motor Show, as a pre-cursor to the design direction that the Q1/Q2 crossover could take in the future. The concept's design language and four seat (2+2) layout could find application in the Q2 crossover. 

The Audi Q1's price, estimated to start under 20,000 Euros, means that the crossover will cost just two thirds of what the Audi Q3's entry-level variants sell at. This pricing will make the Q1 the least priced luxury crossover in Audi's global line up. Audi India has clearly stated that space for a car under the the Q3 does exist here. For the foreseeable future, the A3 sedan, due to be launched next year, is the car that will sit under the Audi Q3 in the Indian car market. 

The Audi A3 sedan will share its MQB platform with the Q1 and will be assembled through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route in India. As of now, no word about the Audi Q1's possible availability in India exists. However, Audi could make the crossover available for sale in the Indian car market, at a price close to that of the A3 sedan. It is unlikely for Audi to step into the sub-20 lakh rupee car space in India considering the fact that such a move would dilute the brand's luxury positioning.