Audi bosses have hinted at launching a new compact crossover based on the A1 and positioned below the Q3 for several years now, though nothing official has come to light yet.

The closest we got to an official confirmation were comments from CEO Rupert Stadler that the Q family still has potential and that it is not yet complete.

Any new crossover based on the A1 platform would almost certainly be labeled a Q1 and compete in the same niche as vehicles like the recently revealed Buick Encore and Ford EcoSport, though the Audi would be much more premium.

Now a company insider has revealed to What Car? that Q1 is being considered, though any launch would still be years away.

“You've seen how our SUVs have been getting smaller--Q7, Q5, Q3--and the A1 platform could go in that direction, but nothing is planned for the near future,” the insider said.

One thing’s for certain, said the insider, and that is that there are no plans for an A1 convertible as it would be too close to the current A3 drop-top.

Pictured above is an earlier rendering of what a possible Q1 crossover from Audi could look like.

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