RENDERED SPECULATION: Audi Is Gearing Up Its Sleeker, Sexier SUVs — What Do YOU Think Of This Render?

In the past handful of years, it's become blatantly obvious that there are several segments that are growing by leaps and bounds. It certainly isn't two seat roadsters and it is most definitely not wagons.

Compact sport-utilty vehicles as well as large, seven-seat SUVs are where the money is right now. You can't find the latest, all-new products on dealer lots and pricing is remaining strong.

While Audi has played in the SUV category with the likes of the Q7, Q5 and Q3, the four rings is planning to expand its offerings with vehicles like the Q8, Q6, and now we're hearing, a Q4.

Considering BMW and Mercedes-Benz's efforts with vehicles like the X6, X4 and GLE-Class Coupe and now GLC-Class Coupe, this should come as no surprise that Audi wants in on these niches.

Remember the TT Offroad Concept that debuted a couple years ago? While that previewed the TT, it sent a signal that this was something Audi was considering — producing sleeker SUVs. Now we expect to see concept come to reality.

That said, our friends at Autocar put together an artist's rendering of what they expect a Q4 to look like. What do YOU make of it? Would this be a welcome addition or just take the company's focus off the ball from its volume-selling products?

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MDarringer - 4/27/2016 8:38:57 AM

+7 Boost

Sleeker? Sexier? The render looks like any Audi of the past decade. Not ugly, but definitely played out stylistically.

It's time for Audi to do a new styling language that shares only the 4 rings with its predecessor.

hangtime010 - 4/27/2016 11:47:57 AM

+1 Boost

As you read, and obviously you read the article, it is clearly stated "our friends at Autocar put together an artist's rendering of what they expect a Q4 to look like."
And yet you jump on Audi for the design?????
Seems to happen all the time. Granted, some have been pretty accurate but some not so much. Why don't you wait until an office pic is provide by Audi, then you can use that comment.
Btw, Audi must be doing something right. They're still selling a lot of cars.

bw5011 - 4/27/2016 2:28:20 PM

+2 Boost

That's just MDarringer, nothing new. At the same time BMW and Benz does the same but we never hear anything negative about it. Audi's designs are fine, hence the units they move, it just keep going up.

MDarringer - 4/27/2016 7:58:39 PM

+1 Boost

Their products sell with massive amounts of money on the hood and leases at a loss.

Audi would need to DOUBLE its American sales to catch BMW and Mercedes. So much for it doing well.

As for Audi's styling, their current efforts show complete stagnation.

GermanNut - 4/28/2016 1:36:13 PM

0 Boost

Globally, however, Audi is in a much tighter sales race with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In fact, Audi outsold Mercedes-Benz globally in 2013 and 2014 but Mercedes-Benz's sales surged last year to move into second place.

Keep whining all you want about Audi's current design and U.S. sales figures, but we know that the next Audi A8 is the model that will usher in Audi's new aggressive and differentiated design philosophy. It will be the first model fully designed from idea conception to production by new Audi design boss Marc Lichte and that design will spread downwards to the rest of Audi's sedans. The Q6 and Q8 will be the implementation of this new design philosophy for SUVs.

Keep focusing your concerns on the U.S. market, MDarringer, while Audi continues to grow its U.S. sales for more than 60 consecutive months and more importantly, focuses on sales on a global basis.