Audi exec reveals more future plans

by John Neff (RSS feed) on Sep 19th 2007 at 3:03PM

Winding Road recently talked face to face with Audi of America's executive veep, Johan de Nysschen, who was surprisingly forthcoming with details about the automaker from Ingolstadt's future product plans. For one, Audi does intend to sell a four-door coupe like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, but not until around 2012. de Nysschen indicated a concept previewing the production version would appear at some time, but gave no indication when that would be.

de Nysschen also commented that the Cross Coupe Quattro concept shown in Shanghai earlier this year is not a precursor to the upcoming Q5 crossover, but a different model entirely that's yet to be mentioned publicly.

On to the R8. de Nysschen did confirm the R8 range would be extended with a V10 model, something we figured was likely after the RS6 Avant with its twin-turbo, 580 HP V10 debuted. The veep didn't indicate, however, whether that engine would be the same V10 installed in Audi's uber-wagon, but here's hoping! As for a diesel-powered R8, while it's been officially discussed, de Nysschen claims no decision has been made.

[Source: Winding Road]



Audi is also working on a new "vectoring" all-wheel drive version of Quattro it intends to debut as on option for the new A4. Winding Road describes the new system as something like Honda/Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Finally, Audi's plans to bring diesel to the U.S. are on track with its 3.0L diesel V6 slated for the Q7, which will also fit into other models like the A4, A5, A6 and A8. Unfortunately, the diesel version of the Q7 for the U.S. market has been delayed from late 2008 to early 2009.

Click on over to Winding Road by hitting the Read link below to hear more about their meeting with Audi's exec in the U.S.

Filed under: Audi

Tags: audi, audi q7 diesel, audi r8, AudiQ7Diesel, AudiR8, q7 diesel, Q7Diesel, r8, vector quattro, VectorQuattro

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