Is this a crossover too far? Rumours have surfaced that Audi is considering a production version of its Cross Cabriolet Concept – a striking drop-top prototype that featured at the 2007 Los Angeles Motor Show, and previewed the Q5 SUV.
Nissan has already broken the mould with the Murano CrossCabriolet, which went on sale earlier this year in North America. And Audi could follow suit with its wackiest car yet.
A production model would feature the same two-door layout as the concept, with space for four people inside and a fabric roof that folds electrically. Additional bracing would be required to stiffen the chassis, meaning an increase over the fixed-roof Q5’s kerbweight of 1,720kg – and this would have knock-on effects on the car’s handling and fuel efficiency.
However, the soft-top will be aimed at style seekers more than driving enthusiasts, and is expected to be produced in limited numbers. Our sources suggest a total of only 5,000 will be made.
Rather than assembling it on the same production line as the Q5, Audi would outsource the car to an independent coachbuilder, such as Magna Steyr in Austria. And as well as offering top-down style, the cabriolet is predicted to feature an even more luxurious interior, with extravagant leather and suede upholstery in a variety of colour combinations. The roof will probably be available in a wide range of shades, too.
Mechanically, it’s tipped to stick closely to the Q5’s formula, with quattro all-wheel drive and a choice between four and six-cylinder TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. It will carry a premium price, too, with the range starting from around £40,000 when it arrives in the next 18 months.
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Normally the wind, but then this goes offroad.
What a silly idea. Audi have got caught up in the rubbish mania of the BMW X6. Next thing next we will have is the Audi A5 Allroad? The twin boot, high-rise, 4x4 Audi. The same as an A5 but with a jacked-up price. Quite literally.
..."an increase over the fixed-roof Q5’s kerbweight of 1,720kg"
This is shocking - where is Audi's aluminium technology? Style (though not for those with taste) over substance.
It might be ideal for invading the Sudetenland but style? Surely only for the visually impaired, and they probably shouldn't be driving.
This will sell like hot cakes, and the buyers............. yes that's right................ lady drivers, you know what I mean the sort that drive around in a MINI Cooper S Cabriolet - pointless! However saying that I can see RR Evoque easily going down this route as it is more suited for this type of crossover!
Why do these companies not look for solutions for families that could be really innovative. A 4 seater convertible SUV means direct competition with all the other cabs out there. A 5 seater pitches against only the Jeep Wrangler... I would buy one since I would love a convertible but with 3 kids, a 4 seater is not an option.
... some more of the cars that people actually want to buy (A3, A4, A5) on a day to day basis but have to wait 6 months for instead of pointless, idiotic idea's such as this for those needing a constant rub of their vanity.
Audi - you need to wake up and smell some fresh coffeebecause you are going stale and becoming almost laughable.
Epic fail!!!!!
It seems their photocopier is on the blink, and this is the best Audi's designers could do. Technique alone cannot create progress. Originality in design is vital, and over the years Audi have lost their mojo. Maybe a copier was behind the best Audi could do, because this is more original than most of their work, but it is so ugly
Just the kind of Hippo in a vice that some people might just want to stay in Audi's rut with!! Maybe Audi will sell "corporate" fancy dress clothing for buyers of this thing. Think along the lines of a Ronald McDonald suit........
Good grief Audi, you cannot be serious.
This is a joke from a company with such a fine pedigree.
It is ugly, lacking in style and how many minutes on the train did it take the designer to think of this? My children could come up with a better design than this.
Flop, Disaster, Failure.
Audi don't go down this road as it will end in a Dead End.
What next? are they going to fit it with floats and rotors to make it amphibious and flying too?
I think that they are trying to make this the swiss-army knife of the softroaders, then again no serious off-roader would consider using an Audi for 4x4ing anyway so this is only for the Chelsea tractor drivers to try to look "more cool"
I wish this site had like/recommend buttons as on Facebook and the Guardian. Then I'd be able to 'recommend' Chizzy57's comment.
Actually MadMacs2010, I really don't think an audience exists for this car. A lot of these so called soft-roaders are only cool because the manufacturers tell us they are, and like silly sods, some fall for it hook, line and sinker... :/