A1/S1 Audi's Wolfgang Egger Talks quattro Concept, A1, S1, A2 and Possible X6 Competitor

[donkeykong]

Audi Design Chief Targets New Models

Audi Design Chief Targets New Models

Published Jan 28, 2011

Just the Facts:

• New Audi A2 is on hold until the appropriate platform is found.
• There's room in the lineup for a BMW X6 competitor.
• Sport Quattro concept not confirmed, but "not dead."

SICILY — The head of Audi Group Design, Wolfgang Egger, has targeted a wave of new models as the company responds to emerging markets and brand proliferation.
Speaking to Inside Line at the launch of the 2012 Audi A6, Egger differentiated between "the continuous family line of the A4, A6 and A8," and niche models, such as the R8, A7 and E-tron that "sharpen the emotion of the brand."
Egger admitted that the A2 — a tall, practical but sporty alternative that would sit between the A1 and 3 — had been designed, but that the Volkswagen Group lacked an appropriate platform for the car. Instead, Audi would continue to develop the A1, appealing to premium downsizers and urbanites. The current three-door model, which isn't sold in the U.S., will be joined by a five-door hatchback, a 180-horsepower S1 and a cabriolet. A Quattro four-wheel-drive version of the car is already scheduled to debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show in March.
Moving upmarket, Egger reckoned there was room for a sport crossover rival to the BMW X6. "It has been a big success in China, where it's become a second car driven by women. There, it's a female sports car." According to Egger, the forthcoming Audi Q3 will be a step in this direction, but the automaker could still go further to compete with BMW.
The designer also admitted that the growth of the Chinese market — Audi sold almost 228,000 cars there in 2010 compared with 100,000 in the U.S. — is starting to influence styling decisions. "There is a design trade-off between Europe, China and the U.S. The chrome grille on the A8 was a response to Chinese demands for a car that makes a statement." However, he ruled out producing subtly different models for different markets. "An Audi is an Audi," he said.
More niche models are also likely to follow. Egger said the Quattro concept shown for the first time at the 2010 Paris Auto Show last year "wasn't dead," nor had it "been confirmed for production. These cars help the A6 because they bring new emotion and character to the brand." This character will also continue to be carried by the electric cars of the future. "The relationship between a car and a person is very complex," he concluded. "A car must always have a 'face' made up of a grille and lights."
Inside Line says: Audi's extraordinary product offensive looks set to continue. — Alistair Weaver, European Correspondent

 

[Bartek S.]

Just the Facts:

• New Audi A2 is on hold until the appropriate platform is found.
• There's room in the lineup for a BMW X6 competitor.
• Sport Quattro concept not confirmed, but "not dead."

SICILY — The head of Audi Group Design, Wolfgang Egger, has targeted a wave of new models as the company responds to emerging markets and brand proliferation.
Speaking to Inside Line at the launch of the 2012 Audi A6, Egger differentiated between "the continuous family line of the A4, A6 and A8," and niche models, such as the R8, A7 and E-tron that "sharpen the emotion of the brand."
Egger admitted that the A2 — a tall, practical but sporty alternative that would sit between the A1 and 3 — had been designed, but that the Volkswagen Group lacked an appropriate platform for the car. Instead, Audi would continue to develop the A1, appealing to premium downsizers and urbanites. The current three-door model, which isn't sold in the U.S., will be joined by a five-door hatchback, a 180-horsepower S1 and a cabriolet. A Quattro four-wheel-drive version of the car is already scheduled to debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show in March.
Moving upmarket, Egger reckoned there was room for a sport crossover rival to the BMW X6. "It has been a big success in China, where it's become a second car driven by women. There, it's a female sports car." According to Egger, the forthcoming Audi Q3 will be a step in this direction, but the automaker could still go further to compete with BMW.
The designer also admitted that the growth of the Chinese market — Audi sold almost 228,000 cars there in 2010 compared with 100,000 in the U.S. — is starting to influence styling decisions. "There is a design trade-off between Europe, China and the U.S. The chrome grille on the A8 was a response to Chinese demands for a car that makes a statement." However, he ruled out producing subtly different models for different markets. "An Audi is an Audi," he said.
More niche models are also likely to follow. Egger said the Quatro concept shown for the first time at the 2010 Paris Auto Show last year "wasn't dead," nor had it "been confirmed for production. These cars help the A6 because they bring new emotion and character to the brand." This character will also continue to be carried by the electric cars of the future. "The relationship between a car and a person is very complex," he concluded. "A car must always have a 'face' made up of a grille and lights."

Via: fourtitude