Audi planning four new small vehicles, but U.S. will only get two

Posted Mon Oct 13 2008 10:50 PM by Nelson Ireson

Audi's A1 Sportback Concept was recently revealed at the Paris Motor Show

Small vehicles of every form factor - SUV, crossover, hatch and sedan - are the new wave in design departments around the world, and Audi is no exception. The A1's development has been closely followed and much-discussed, as has the Q3's, but the S1 and Q1 have received somewhat less attention, though all four are in the works - but only the Q3 and Q1 will be for American eyes.

The A1 and S1 will be available in Europe and other markets, but are deemed too small for American buyers. Bringing the cars to the U.S. in a few years' time isn't beyond the pale, but there are no plans to do so at Audi as yet, reports Car and Driver. The A1 has recently been previewed in the form of the A1 Sportback Hybrid concept and last year with the A1 Metroproject. The A1 had been cast as a competitor to Toyota's iQ, but with the recent hints that the iQ might be marketed as a Scion in the U.S., that comparison is unlikely to hold.

The Q1 and Q3, however, are both on track for the U.S., though there remain a few legal hurdles to clear first. Nissan owns, or at least believes it owns, the rights to the 'Q' name for all vehicles, dating back to its use on the now-defunct Infiniti Q45 flagship sedan. Audi is working with the Japanese carmaker to negotiate use beyond the Q5 and Q7 names, which have already been secured through similar talks. Audi is optimistic that the new contract will be signed in time for the car's debut. The Q3 won't be launched for another two years, however, so that still leaves a lot of time for discussion.

The Q1, on the other hand, is even further away from production - at least 4.5 years out - and so far even Michael Dick, Audi's member of the board for management and technical development, can't be certain if it will make it to North America, though he says it's "conceivable". So far there are no plans to bring the Q1 to the U.S., though the problem with the Q1 isn't size - it's apparently bigger than its A1 and S1 stablemates - but rather profitability.

Pricing in Europe can be aggressive but still allow for adequate margins, whereas the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar makes aggressive pricing a losing battle, with volume coming only at the cost of profit. Latest reports indicate the Q1 will measure approximately 3.95m in length and will feature a coupe-styled body with just two-doors and a rear hatch. Power is expected to come from a 1.4L TFSI four-cylinder engine producing 125hp (93kW) or a TSI unit with 150hp (111kW). Diesel fans will be able to pick from a 1.2L TDI with 80hp (59kW) or a 1.6L TDI with 119hp (88kW).