Following our report last month, Audi has confirmed it will be showing two new cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. Although Audi is mute on what those two cars will be, one is reportedly a "stunning" new concept car; the second being a new production model making its worldwide debut.
We previously speculated that Audi could be showing the production TT-S, although the next new model expected to come down the pipeline from Audi is a facelifted version of the A3 hatchback, which makes it a strong candidate to fill that slot at Audi's Detroit stand. The A3 has run the longest in the line-up since introduction or refresh, followed by the A8 luxury sedan.
The "stunning" concept car is expected to be somehow based on the already-stunning R8 supercar. Some reports suggest it could be the V10 version known tentatively as the RS8, or possibly a convertible version of the mid-engined sportscar. Given the aesthetic used, the roadster would seem more fitting than the V10, although a design study could also fit the bill.
We'll just have to wait another few weeks to see.
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE:
2008 Detroit Auto Show
Audi press conference to feature world premier
Visitors will be treated to both a world first and a stunning concept car at the Audi press conference for the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, will present the latest innovations at the Audi Press Conference, Sunday, January 13, 2008, at 02:20 p.m., on the Audi stand in the COBO Center in Detroit, Wayne Hall.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aetius @ Dec 20th 2007 12:05PM
Audi & Mazda design (L)
B Montgomery @ Dec 20th 2007 12:34PM
Mazda? Because the R8 and a miata look anything even closely related...
Well they both have rubber tires I guess...
Alex @ Dec 20th 2007 12:20PM
"the second being a new production model making its worldwide debut."
I'm hoping it'll be the final production model of the A1, but i think we are still at least a year away from that since they are planning a 2010 release.
Taylor @ Dec 20th 2007 12:50PM
How about an R4? A R8-styled sports coupe, with a base price around 35k. -shrugs-
nissanfreak87 @ Dec 20th 2007 12:54PM
why, they have the TT and the a5/s5
Tim @ Dec 20th 2007 12:54PM
An Audi that isn't a rebadged VW would be shocking.
zamafir @ Dec 20th 2007 1:02PM
Agreed, just like the stunning R8, RS4, A5, S5, A8L, S8, TT, etc. O_o.
Tim @ Dec 20th 2007 1:12PM
Audi TT = Golf Chassis
Audi RS4/S5/R5 = VW Passat/Jetta Chassis
Audi A8= VW Phateon (Now Discontinued because why would you pay over 60k for a VW)
Audi R8 = Only Audi not on VW chassis
Leaf @ Dec 20th 2007 1:21PM
This is incorrect. Only the A3 and TT share a platform with VW products. Also, the Phaeton never shared a platform with the A8.
A4's and A5's are based on the B7 (now B8) platform.
A6's are on the C6 platform.
A8's are on the D3 platform.
Tim @ Dec 20th 2007 1:51PM
The D3 platform is just a renamed D1 platform which the defunct VW phateon shared.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_D_platform
Zane @ Dec 20th 2007 1:51PM
Leaf, the A8 and Phaeton share certain systems such as engines (4.2L V8, 6.0L W12) and transmissions.
Taylor @ Dec 20th 2007 12:59PM
Mainly because the new TT looks to have been hit with the ugly hammer. The A5...meh. They have something right going for them with the R8. They should do as everyone else does, make different models from the one car. Hell, it's worked for Ford, they have 108323985792 different models of Mustangs.
steveo391 @ Dec 20th 2007 4:44PM
When will you people realize that the special edition mustangs aren't put out by ford!!!!!! They are put out by 3rd parties who get the factory original mustang from ford. But then again you probably drive a toyota so I can't expect you to grasp such a simple concept.
Taylor @ Dec 20th 2007 5:35PM
Actually, I don't drive a Toyota. And no reason to take my comment so personal. Sheesh. And just FYI, I drive a 300ZX, it is no Toyota.
Phil @ Dec 20th 2007 1:04PM
production most likely the Q5
nissanfreak87 @ Dec 20th 2007 1:18PM
good call, I'm excited to see their booth this year, Detroit is gonna rule
d3 a8 @ Dec 20th 2007 1:36PM
Yes I too would like to see the new audi A1 - I have been getting very antsy about Audi not having a model for the grade school market, and now that high school kids (a4) and jr. high kids (a3) are all taken care of, they really need to address this gap in their lineup.
And yes, an r4 would also be a great way to continue cheapening (and selling out) the brand - great idea!
nissanfreak87 @ Dec 20th 2007 1:29PM
Dang man, there's no reason to get mad at Audi for wanting to compete in a very competitive market segment. The A4 fights the 3 series, the A3, the 1 series, Mazda 3, etc... and the A1 will compete with the mini. But I guess Audi should just stick with the A6, A8, and R8, because those can sustain a company and make it the most successful luxury brand in Germany.
That was a pretty ignorant statement man.
Zane @ Dec 20th 2007 1:53PM
Two models, eh? That's quite simple to guess - the R8 cabriolet and all new '09 S4. :)
GTX141 @ Dec 20th 2007 2:45PM
My money is on a V10