reconsidering Archives

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Rumormill

Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept

Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Is Audi going to bring its Tiguan-for-the-country-club Q3 over to the United States? Originally the automaker said nein! to the idea of a subcompact crossover on American soil, but now Audi is reportedly reconsidering offering the Q3 Stateside.

BMW is getting ready to launch the X1 here in the U.S., and Audi wants a cut of the North American subcompact crossover action. Since the American car-buying public is fairly wagon-averse, this move makes sense for Audi and could be a strong move to help it reach the aggressive sales goals it has set for itself.

The Q5 has already been a sales winner for the brand here in the States. In 2010, sales of the compact crossover rose 70 percent, and having a smaller Q3 in Audi showrooms would allow customers to still get in on the quad-rung crossover action for a bit less cash.

Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro

[Source: Motor Trend]

Audi reconsidering Q3 for U.S. sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Canada, Diesel, Luxury

Porsche Cayenne

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW offer their premium SUVs in diesel flavors, and that’s got Porsche rethinking its stance re: the Cayenne. According to a Porsche PR rep in Canada, the American managers are thinking about bringing the oil-burner this way in order to fill that hole. Two years ago, Porsche tested and then confirmed a diesel Cayenne for the American market that would use Audi’s 3.0 TDI. It was supposed to arrive early last year; obviously, that never happened.

We drove the Euro-spec diesel Cayenne last year, and walked away thinking it’s a “no-brainer for the American market.” With the new Cayenne having lost all that weight and increased its performance, a diesel engine would pull even better. And if the numbers stand, with overall diesel-vehicle sales in North America predicted to hit around 250,000 units in 2014, it could be that Porsche thinks it’s a no-brainer as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Source: Times Colonist]

Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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