The luxury car maker from Germany, Audi is all-set to initiate the development of its first MPV which might arrive sometime in 2016. Reports suggest that the brand is working on a 7-seater MPV for the European market and that the model is currently under development on a larger version of Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB architecture.
The only Audi cars to be based on the MQB platform were to be the A3 hatchback and sedan. With the 2016 Audi MPV, another car has been added to this versatile platform. For the Audi’s 7-seater MPV, this platform will be suitably stretched and widened. The Audi MPV could measure in at 4.5 meters in length, which is significantly longer than both the A3 hatchback and sedan. As the MQB platform allows for both front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts, expect the MPV to also get these options.
Speaking to AutoCar Magazine UK, Peter Schwarzenbauer, the Chief for Sales and Marketing said that company is looking at a minivan which will have sporty appearance and will be offered in six as well as seven seat options. Like mentioned previously, the MPV might not be like a true MPV in terms of looks and instead be more like a high-roof version of the A4 Avant with two rows of seats.
The Audi MPV is likely to have a turbocharged diesel and petrol units along with a probable hybrid engine. Given that the 1.8-liter TFSI petrol engine and the 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel engines are standard on the A3 hatchback and sedan, similar engines could be offered on the MPV too. Also, there is some talk about a hybrid version of the MPV being readied up given that 2016 is still a good four years away, and far enough for hybrid cars to mature and become more mainstream than ever before.
Currently, Audi has no presence in the people mover segment and the company would require a new naming scheme for the MPV line-up. The ‘A’ moniker takes care of the sedans and hatchbacks. The ‘Q’ takes care of the SUVs and crossovers. ‘R’ is for Sportscars. Audi is contemplating on ‘V’ (for Vario) for MPVs. There are no further details revealed about 7-seater MPV by Audi yet, so for now, we’ll just have to work with the limited information.
We’re damn sure about the Audi 7-seater MPV model coming to the India, as in India usually the entire family travel together.
Also see – 2012 Geneva Motor Show – Audi A3 hatchback showcased
Source – AutoCar UK
Image Credit – AutoBild
