Photo: Audi
We feel sorry for the Audi employees that first suggested a Sports Activity Coupe. They gave us all sorts of concepts but got delayed when bean counters couldn't decide whether to use the TT name. And now they have to deal with yet another setback, one which also affects the development of the Mk4 A4 family.
As you might remember, the Q4 was originally delayed to 2017 due to the argument with Fiat over the use of the name. But now, it won't happen until 2021 at the latest.
The reason for both delays is that engineers are busy making diesel fixes, the aftermath of the infamous emissions scandal.
“We are behind in time planning with the next stage of vehicles to be based on the MQB architecture,” an unidentified source has told Auto Motor und Sport.
Volkswagen made it seems like the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI mods were already figured out, leaving only the 1.2 TDI. I don't think any Audi uses that mill, especially not one that's MQB-based, which suggests this isn't a case of one ECU map fits all engines.
As far as we know, only a few MQB-based cars were fitted with the EA189 family of diesel engines. The Germans must be referring to the A3 (all body styles) built between the Mk3's launch in 2012 and the point where they switched to Euro 6. The main difference between Audi's version of the engine and the one Volkswagen is the drive mode selector.
Our source claims that delaying the next-generation A3 and Q4 crossover was needed because development of brand new petrol and diesel engines is behind schedule.
I don't think it will impact the A3 in a major way. The Hungarian-built compact is doing really well after the mid-life facelift. Despite the initial criticism due to the headlights copied from the A4, customers love the digital dashboard.
The 1 Series is on its way out, and the Mercedes A-Class is not the epitome of practicality. As for the Q4, that's an entirely different story. Audi is the only German premium manufacturer without a Sports Activity Coupe. But the MQB-based Q4 wouldn't have been a complete fix, as it would have been smaller than the X4 or GLC Coupe.
The reason for both delays is that engineers are busy making diesel fixes, the aftermath of the infamous emissions scandal.
“We are behind in time planning with the next stage of vehicles to be based on the MQB architecture,” an unidentified source has told Auto Motor und Sport.
Volkswagen made it seems like the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI mods were already figured out, leaving only the 1.2 TDI. I don't think any Audi uses that mill, especially not one that's MQB-based, which suggests this isn't a case of one ECU map fits all engines.
As far as we know, only a few MQB-based cars were fitted with the EA189 family of diesel engines. The Germans must be referring to the A3 (all body styles) built between the Mk3's launch in 2012 and the point where they switched to Euro 6. The main difference between Audi's version of the engine and the one Volkswagen is the drive mode selector.
Our source claims that delaying the next-generation A3 and Q4 crossover was needed because development of brand new petrol and diesel engines is behind schedule.
I don't think it will impact the A3 in a major way. The Hungarian-built compact is doing really well after the mid-life facelift. Despite the initial criticism due to the headlights copied from the A4, customers love the digital dashboard.
The 1 Series is on its way out, and the Mercedes A-Class is not the epitome of practicality. As for the Q4, that's an entirely different story. Audi is the only German premium manufacturer without a Sports Activity Coupe. But the MQB-based Q4 wouldn't have been a complete fix, as it would have been smaller than the X4 or GLC Coupe.
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