Audi has revealed its latest concept car in a series of official sketches ahead of its planned public premiere at the Beijing motor show later this month.
The high riding off-roader, details to which are being kept secret until closer to its unveiling, is rumoured to preview the upcoming Audi Q4 – Ingolstadt’s answer to the likes of the BMW X4 and Porsche Macan.
Audi's new five-door concept shares similar design cues to the three-door Allroad Shooting Brake concept wheeled out at the Detroit motor show back in January, suggesting Audi is already well advanced on a series of new sporting crossover-style SUV models that will line up alongside the more practical SUV offerings already on sale today.
As with the Allroad Shooting Brake, the appearance of Audi’s latest concept is heavily influenced by that of the new third generation TT. At around 4400mm in length and 1850mm in width, it is close to the existing Audi Q3 in size.
The brand’s design team has provided the new SUV with a number of traditional styling cues that leave little doubt about its origins. Included is a prominent six-corner single frame grille, trapezoidal-shaped headlamps with complex LED internal graphics, clamshell-style bonnet, prominent wheelarch flares, heavily curved roof line and a high waistline and shallow glasshouse.
Inside, the new Audi concept provides seating for four in individual seats – those at the rear appearing to fold flat to extend luggage capacity.
Powering the new Audi is a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain similar to that seen on the Allroad Shooting Brake. It consists of a transversely mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder combustion engine and a pair of electric motors – one integrated into a double clutch auto gearbox and another mounted within the rear axle. Together they provide the concept with a four-wheel-drive capability.
No official power or torque figures have yet been revealed, although Audi sources suggest they are close to the 402bhp and 480lb ft of the Allroad Shooting Brake. But in a development not seen on Audi’s earlier concept, the crossover headed for Beijing showcases a new inductive charging system for its lithium-ion battery, alongside a traditional plug.
Speaking to Autocar recently, Audi’s head of research and development, Ulrich Hackenburg, confirmed Audi was pursuing a strategy that would see it extend its line-up with new crossovers rather than traditional MPVs.
“There is a clear trend towards crossover-style vehicles in nearly every market we are represented. We are well aware of this and intend to take advantage of it,” he said.
