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Audi Reconfirms 3 New SUVs, Including Full Electric Model
Audi AG says it is moving forward with plans to launch three new SUV/crossover models in the next five years as it tries to oust rival BMW AG to become the global sales leader of luxury vehicles.
"We have big plans," CEO Rupert Stadler tells shareholders.
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Audi AG says it is moving forward with plans to launch three new SUV/crossover models in the next five years as it tries to oust rival BMW AG to become the global sales leader of luxury vehicles.
"We have big plans," CEO Rupert Stadler tells shareholders. The trio of SUVs are part of the company's expansion plans that will grow its lineup from 52 models today to 60 by 2020. Audi plans to invest €24 billion ($26.5 billion) between 2015 and 2019 to develop new products and expand production, with 70% of the total earmarked for new models and technologies.
The first of the new Audi SUVs, the subcompact Q1, is due to arrive in Europe next year. It will ride on parent Volkswagen AG's lightweight modular-transversal platform, with a choice of turbocharged gasoline and diesel 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engines. There are no plans to bring the Q1 to the U.S.
The coupe-like Q6 crossover will bow in two to three years, with an all-electric variant slated for 2018. Underpinned by VW's modular longitude matrix architecture, the electric Q6 e-tron is expected to have a 500-km (300-mile) range.
The third model is a new flagship SUV that will be launched in 2019 as the Q8. It will share a platform with Audi's Q7 SUV and feature coupe-like styling similar to the Prologue concept unveiled at last year's Los Angeles auto show.
The new SUVs will join freshened versions of the Q7 and TT two-seater, both of which will be rolled out later this year. New versions of the A4 small car and R8 supercar are due in the next two years.
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