Apart from the new Audi RS6 Avant, the German car manufacturer will be launching the new Audi Q7 and Q3 premium SUVs and is also contemplating to get a few new models including the 2015 Audi A6 to India this year
Audi has launched the bold new Audi
RS6 Avant in India today at Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom Delhi/Mumbai). Imported as Completely Built Units (CBU), the new sports car from Audi will challenge the likes of Mercedes E63 AMG
Sedan. The Audi RS6 is a new model introduction in the country, and as the name suggests is the performance oriented version of the station wagon Audi
A6 Avant.
Design wise, the sporty RS6 Avant carries the Audi family design with a trapezoidal grille up front boasting a bunch of badges including the four-ringed Audi logo, along with the RS6 and the Quattro badging. The razor sharp LED headlamps and a pair of large air dams give it an aggressive face. On the side, the star-shaped 10-spoke alloy wheels and the black ORVMs add to the sporty stance. Like the front the rear also is unmistakably Audi, with a sharply designed boot and sleek LED taillights. While the huge twin-exhausts and the muscular rear bumper with carbon-fibre parts declares its RS intensions.
Powering the Audi RS6 Avant is a 4.0-litre, V8 TFSI bi-turbo engine, which is also sported by the RS7 Sportback, which punches out a massive 560PS of peak power and a strong 700Nm of maximum torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed tiptronic transmission. Backed by Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system the Audi RS6 Avant can sprint from 0-100kmph in just 3.9 seconds!
Besides this, Audi India will be bringing the premium compact
SUV - 2015 Audi
Q3 facelift in the coming months. Being a facelift the 2015 Audi Q3 facelift will continue to be offered with a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Currently, Audi India is not considering launching the more affordable Audi Q3 S which comes with a manual transmission.
However, the cosmetic upgrade will include a new front design with Audi’s single-frame chrome grille, new bumper and reprofiled headlamps with the option of LED lights. In profile the changes will be limited to sportier looking alloy wheels. At the back, the changes will include new LED taillights with Dynamic turn indicators.
The interior design will remain unchanged, but Audi might look at upgrading the cabin upholstery and would also introduce a few new features. The new Audi Q3 facelift is expected to be introduced by the end of June this year, with an estimated priced between Rs 30-40 lakh.
The other confirmation from Audi is the introduction of the much awaited 2016 Audi
Q7 premium
SUV. The second generation Audi Q7 is based on a new platform which makes it much lighter and more dynamic to drive than the outgoing model. In terms of design, the new Q7 has sharper body lines, new bonnet, bumper and a family-style large single grille with new LED headlamps on either side. The SUV now looks more sporty and dynamic, but loses the towering stance which the older model had.
The cabin gets a complete makeover and is more opulent and smarter than before. All three rows of seat are pretty useable and fairly comfortable. Internationally, the SUV comes with 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, a standard Bose music system or the option of upgrading to a top-class Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. Other features include Collision Avoidance Assist, Cross Traffic Assist, Trailer Assist and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam assistance. There is also Lane Departure warning and assist, Blind Spot monitoring and Auto Braking to name a few, but due to restriction on the use of radar, most of these high end systems may not make it to India.
The latest Audi Q7 will be launched in the month of November this year in India and will get the Q7 3.0 TDI diesel option to begin with. The motor comes with 8-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. The new Audi Q7 will be pitted against the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, BMW
X5 and
Range Rover Sport with an expected price of Rs 75 lakh.
Audi is also contemplating to bring the new Audi
A6 sedan to India later this year, which was showcased internationally a few months ago. The updated
Luxury Sedan from Audi India will continue to fend its arch rivals including the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series and the Jaguar XF. We expect the new Audi A6 facelift to be priced between Rs 45-60 lakh and continue to be offered with a petrol and diesel engines options.
The design changes on the new A6 would include a new LED headlight with twin lined fibre optic LED strips, which give it a slicker and smarter appearance. Audi might also offer the Matrix headlamp as an option, which is also seen on the bigger new Audi A8L saloon. Like the front, the rear also gets a pair of refreshed lights, along with a chrome strip on the bootlid, which now gives the A6 a wider stance. We can expect some interior upgrade too, including the latest MMI touch interface and a retractable 8‑inch screen with 3D maps.
Next year Audi India will roll-out the new Audi
R8 and the new Audi
A4 sedan. Apart from these known launches the German luxury car maker is also playing with the idea of introducing the compact and peppy Audi A1 in India, but the company is unsure if the price and positioning of this premium
Hatchback will appeal to car buyers in our country.
