Audi will, in 2016, reveal its newest small crossover SUV – the Audi Q1, a mini version of the Audi Q3. Conforming earlier speculations, a report reveals that the Q1 will come with the Quattro four-wheel-drive option, apart from low spec variants with the front-wheel-drive setup.
The SUV is expected to be placed below the Q3 as the new entry-level model in Audi’s line-up. The car is under development and is based on the VW group MQB platform, the same one that the new Volkswagen Polo (2015 launch) and Audi A1 (2016 launch) will use. The Q1 is likely to be just four metres long, around 1,750mm wide and 1,570mm high. That makes it a little taller than the A1, but slightly smaller than the Nissan Juke, which it sees as its competitor in the international market.
With regards to what’s under the hood, the new model will share downsized, stop-start-equipped engines with the next A1. These are likely to include a version of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo engine used in the VW Up! as the entry-level engine. There will also be a 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder, and the newly developed 1.4-litre TFSI petrol that features in the A3 e-tron.
At the top of the range, a 200bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol will be fitted to the SQ1, which will rival the Juke Nismo. While diesel options are likely to include a new 1.4-litre TDI and a higher-spec 1.6-litre TDI. The engines will reportedly be connected to a six-speed manual or a new 10-speed DSG gearbox.
The new Audi Q1 is expected to be taking a great deal from its seniors - Audi Q5 and Audi Q7 besides inheriting from Audi Q3. The front has a prominent grille with the Audi logo set in the centre. The chrome lining on the grille further enhances its city-car like appearance. Multi barrel Xenon headlamps with daytime running LEDs could be lighting the way for the Audi Q1. A new design for the bumper is on the cards, something to distinguish it from its other siblings. Also, it is probable that the Audi Q1 will be available in two and four door versions.
The entry-level Q1 could be priced from $25,715 (Rs 15.78 lakh) onwards when it is launched globally, but in India we could see it priced starting Rs 23 lakh, considering that the Audi Q3 starts from Rs 25 lakh here. With the Q1, Audi will look to take back some market share that it has lost to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, A-Class and the BMW 1 Series.
Source:WCF
