audi roadmap

[Dave Eaton]

from automotive news.

dave
'01 s8
'04 allroad tdi
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A3: A convertible is expected in 2008. The A3 line is scheduled to be
freshened in about three years.

A4: The redesigned convertible bows in September. The A4 line is scheduled
to be redesigned in 2008 but won't arrive in North America until 2009.

RS4: The high-performance model, based on the A4, went on sale in mid-May.
It was given its own badge because of extensive changes engineered by Audi's
quattro GmbH division. Under the hood is a 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8. The only
pieces of sheet metal shared with the A4 are the door and roof panels.

A5: The sporty four-passenger coupe, developed on the A4 platform, is
expected to go on sale in Germany in 2007; U.S. sales are likely a year
later. A convertible version is expected in 2008.

A6: A freshening is likely in 2008; a redesign is possible in 2009 or 2010.

A7: Audi is considering a large coupe that could debut in 2008 to compete
with the BMW 6 series. A concept may appear at the Los Angeles auto show in
December.

RS6: The high-performance sedan is scheduled to be redesigned in 2009 or
2010.

A8: Audi's flagship sedan is scheduled to be redesigned in 2009. The car is
expected to grow in size and power - V-12 diesel and V-10 gasoline engines
will debut.

TT: The redesigned TT coupe arrives in the United States in April or May;
the roadster is due about six months later. The TT will be bigger, wider and
pack a new 2.0-liter, direct-injection, four-cylinder turbocharged engine. A
3.2-liter V-6 will be available with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. The TT
will use a higher degree of aluminum to reduce weight.

R8: The mid-engine, two-passenger, awd sports car goes on sale in the United
States late next summer. The car is based on the Audi Le Mans concept; it
shares the aluminum spaceframe and much of the underpinnings with the
Lamborghini Gallardo. Two engines are expected to be offered: a 420-hp,
4.2-liter V-8 and a 480-hp, 5.2-liter V-10. The R8's price will exceed
$100,000.

Q5: The small BMW X3-sized crossover is expected in 2009.

Q7: Audi's big crossover, the seven-seat Q7, went on sale in June. It was
designed primarily for the United States.

The range-topper, with a base sticker price of $50,620 including shipping,
is equipped with awd; a 350-hp, 4.2-liter, direct-injection V-8 engine; and
a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The entry model has a
VW-designed 3.6-liter V-6.

Audi also is considering a 3.0-liter diesel model but has the same problem
faced by most manufacturers: The diesel would not pass emissions standards
in all 50 states. Audi plans to offer a diesel-powered hybrid in 2008.