Reports claim that Audi has issued a new application to trademark the Q4 name just 24 hours after Samsung SDI (creative energy and materials solution provider) confirmed that it will invest 400 billion won (Rs 2390 crore) in a new battery factory at Hungary in 2018.
This has sparked off rumours that the upcoming Q4, speculated to be an Audi TT-based SUV, could ideally turn out to be a plug-in SUV in some variants. What confirms this assumption is that Samsung’s new battery factory that’s coming up at God, Hungary, is quite close to the Audi TT production plant in Gyor. Considering that Audi would roll its TT-based Q4 out of this factory, having a supply chain for the battery packs by the time the name trademark and car development is ready, would be imperative. It also highlights the fact that as the Samsung battery factory is due to be functional in 2018, the Q4 plug-in hybrid should make its debut around the same time.
Audi has struggled for long to trademark the names Q2 and Q4, both of which were used by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Once the companies settled the matter on the Q2 badge, Audi was quick to get the Q2 SUV on the roads some time ago. Judging by that decision, it could just be a matter of time when Audi could attain the Q4 name too, and compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X4.
A whole lot of electrification is coming the consumers way, and stay tune to Carwale for more on this.
Pictures: Audi TT off-road