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Audi unveils Q3 Jinlong Yufeng in Beijing

Zach Bowman — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, China, Crossover, Audi, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style, Luxury

Audi has just unveiled a special concept version of the company's Q3 at this week's 2012 Beijing Motor Show to commemorate the year of the dragon. The 2012 Q3 Jinlong Yufeng, or "Golden Dragon In The Wind," caters to the kite surfers of the world thanks to its two roof-mounted carbon-fiber reinforced polymer boards and a clever kite pouch that can also be used to hold wet articles of clothing or serve as a beach umbrella. Designers have also thrown in a set of removable, wireless video cameras that can easily be attached to a sail bar or helmet.

The Q3 Jinlong Yufeng wears Liuli Yellow paint outside as well as a few special off-road body components based on production pieces. Brushed stainless steel running boards, LED spotlights mounted in the grille and integrated dual-exit exhaust are all part of the package. Indoors, designers have stitched the vehicle's surfaces with yellow contrasting thread. The seats use woven leather covers and each door panel features a yellow leather insert.

A turbocharged 2.5-liter direct-injection five-cylinder engine delivers 310 horsepower through a seven-speed transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive - enough, Audi says,to power the Q3 Jinlong Yufeng to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Audi unveils Q3 Jinlong Yufeng in Beijing

Audi unveils Q3 Jinlong Yufeng in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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De Nysschen says Audi still debating Q3 for U.S.

Chris Shunk — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Audi, Luxury

Audi has grown its share of the U.S. luxury market with the help of a steady stream of new products. But while Audi has been on a product rampage, not all of its latest designs take up residence in U.S. showrooms.

Included in that group of vehicles is the Q3, but AutoWeek reports that Audi's North American CEO Johan de Nysschen is at least considering bringing the diminutive CUV to America. That's not a lot to go on, and de Nysschen tells AW that the Q3 will need to "overcome certain challenges" in order for Audi to introduce the model to U.S. customers.

In other words, the Q3 will need to be cheap enough for U.S. consumers to want to buy it, yet expensive enough for Audi to turn a tidy profit. What's more, the Four-Ringed crossover will need to sell at a decent clip even if the price is right, or Audi could still lose money. If the stars align and the Q3 gets the green light, de Nysschen says it'll likely happen in time for the model's mid-cycle refresh.

De Nysschen says Audi still debating Q3 for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi officially confirms Q5 hybrid coming in 2011

Chris Shunk — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Audi

Audi Q5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen doesn't seem to be a big fan of electric vehicles, yet the four-ringed automaker appears to be warming to the green tech. Since de Nysschen's assault on the Chevrolet Volt (and electric vehicles in general), the German luxury automaker has unveiled the sweet-looking eTron concept, and it is now officially confirming that it will venture into the hybrid market.

Audi published a press release today touting the billions of euros it is spending to increase its product portfolio from 34 models to 42 in 2015. One of the info-bits buried within the text is the promised 2011 arrival of a Q5 hybrid, a development first rumored back in May. The hybrid Q5 would be Audi's first full hybrid vehicle, giving the German luxury car maker an entry in the growing green scene. Audi didn't take the opportunity to provide any details about powertrains or battery types, but it does say that the Q5 hybrid would be officially unveiled by the end of 2010.

Audi has in the past said that it didn't plan to go all-in on hybrids due to the fact that the German automaker feels diesels make more sense both financially and in terms of practicality, particularly for the U.S. market. While most of us around AB agree with this thought process, we think that if Audi has decided to pursue gas-electric models anyway, the hot-selling Q5 should make a good first hybrid - especially as its size will enable Audi engineers to more easily fit an electric motor and a battery pack into its CUV proportions. Further, the Q5's somewhat hefty price tag might help hide some of the added cost associated with a hybrid powertrain. Hit the jump to read over the official verbiage.

[Source: Audi]

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Audi officially confirms Q5 hybrid coming in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost

Dan Roth — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2009 Audi Q5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quality costs. Ask a recording engineer. For the same money you'll burn on a pile of inexpensive, non-serviceable gear whose greatest virtue is that "it works," you could alternatively purchase one channel's worth of serious equipment. The trade-off is that the real kit sounds great all the time, while the cheaper stuff never does. Boiled down to their essence, they both do the same thing, but it's the quality of the components and the careful construction that make all the difference.

It's the same thing with the 2009 Audi Q5. $50,000 will put your rump in vast automotive acreage, but for the same coin, the Q5's dimensions are tidy. Combating the "quantity equals quality" mindset, Audi has made the Q5 a standout. It's filled with luxury and comfort items, and put together with typical German fastidiousness. And out on the road, the Q5 chats you up with feedback that's - dare we say - sports-like. So has Audi managed to finally put the "sport" in Sport Utility?

Gallery: Review: 2009 Audi Q5

Continue reading Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost

Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi considering small CUV and another supercar for U.S., but no A1 for now

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Supercars, Audi

Audi's plans for expansion have been covered endlessly on these pages, and with a goal of selling 1.5 million vehicles globally each year by 2015, Audi understands that success in the U.S. is a key to its goals. Audi is aiming to sell 200,000 units annually to Stateside consumers and the automaker hopes that a portion of those sales will come from a small CUV that slots in below the Q5. Johan de Nysschen, executive veep at Audi of America, is calling the unnamed softroader a "lifestyle" product, which is expected to go on sale early next year. However, a deal with Nissan that only allows Audi to use the "Q" designation on its larger vehicles (the Q5 and Q7) means that it won't be called the Q3... supposedly.

The Autoweek article goes on to say that Audi is considering adding another supercar into its lineup, but de Nysschen didn't offer up any details. Could it be another R8 powered by either a V10 or a V12 TDI? Time will tell, but a halo vehicle to take on the forthcoming Mercedes uber-coupe or BMW M1 revival isn't out of the question.

The A1, however, won't be coming to the U.S. in its first lifecycle. And the future of Audi diesels remains an open question, with the oil-burning Q7 due to hit the market next year and an A4 diesel supposedly in the works.

[Source: Autoweek]

Audi considering small CUV and another supercar for U.S., but no A1 for now originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi delaying CUV launches until 2009

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Audi

Audi is going to put off the launch of three new SUVs into its arsenal until the end of the decade, primarily for marketing reasons. Really, it's only one new model - the compact Q5 - plus diesel and hybrid versions of its Q7 crossover.

The reason for the delay is primarily to avoid Audi's newest entrants from getting lost in the ether of year-end sales drives, and thus allowing all three vehicles to be marketed as 2010 models, which were originally destined for sale in the third quarter of 2008.

Although we haven't seen the Q5, meant to compete with BMW's X3 and Mercedes' upcoming GLK, it's been well known that the new cute 'ute has been under development for some time, finding a home atop the VW Tiguan platform. The diesel Q7 will be arriving around the same time, and will come to market packing a three-liter turbo-diesel V6, producing 230 HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Since the new engine will be 50-state compliant, it's "just a matter of formality," according to Audi's U.S. head Johan de Nysschen, that the oilburner will find its way into the A4, A6 and A8 models of the future.

All three vehicles, including the 280 HP V6 hybrid-equipped Q7, are all likely to be revealed in Detroit in 2009.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Audi delaying CUV launches until 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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