Photo: SB-Medien
Audi now has six SUV models, if you include the e-tron, with more body styles to follow shortly. But the company can't resist the urge to add a rugged version of the upcoming A3 hatchback.
Called the "Cityhopper", this A3 model will be nothing more than a dressed up compact car, with cladding and slightly raised suspension giving it an adventure-ready appearance. Auto Express believes this is being launched to fill the non-existent gap between the Q2 and Q3, which also implies it will be quite expensive.
Thinking of rugged family hatchbacks that aren't wagons, the mind naturally wanders to the Ford Focus Active. However, there's another, much older contender, the Volvo V40 Cross Country that we tested many years ago.
So it has two rivals, but a few things stop us from believing this project is real. First, our source says it won't be ready until 2022, despite the regular A3 probably being unveiled at the end of this year. Second, it's believed that it won't be a real crossover because of a lack of AWD.
Why? The current A3, as well as its predecessors, had several versions with AWD. And we're not talking about the quattro rockets like the S3 and RS3. No, regular diesel engines could be paired up with all-weather grip.
On the other hand, Audi is serious about crazy hatchbacks. A few months ago, we saw a lifted A1 Sportback with cladding, which is believed to be called the A1 City Carver. But that definitely can't have AWD due to the platform.
What we really want from Audi is better diversity for the premium compact car segment which it created. The company only has plans for Chinese models based on the MEB electric car platform, and an A3 wagon or shooting brake could be a volume seller in Europe.
Thinking of rugged family hatchbacks that aren't wagons, the mind naturally wanders to the Ford Focus Active. However, there's another, much older contender, the Volvo V40 Cross Country that we tested many years ago.
So it has two rivals, but a few things stop us from believing this project is real. First, our source says it won't be ready until 2022, despite the regular A3 probably being unveiled at the end of this year. Second, it's believed that it won't be a real crossover because of a lack of AWD.
Why? The current A3, as well as its predecessors, had several versions with AWD. And we're not talking about the quattro rockets like the S3 and RS3. No, regular diesel engines could be paired up with all-weather grip.
On the other hand, Audi is serious about crazy hatchbacks. A few months ago, we saw a lifted A1 Sportback with cladding, which is believed to be called the A1 City Carver. But that definitely can't have AWD due to the platform.
What we really want from Audi is better diversity for the premium compact car segment which it created. The company only has plans for Chinese models based on the MEB electric car platform, and an A3 wagon or shooting brake could be a volume seller in Europe.
Google News