Audi to introduce X6 competitor

[LeMansX5]

When BMW launched the X6 out on the market, many members of the press highly doubted that this "sports activity coupe" would stand a chance at success, but the customers spoke and the X6 turned out to be more successful than BMW itself expected. Then, soon after the surprising success of the X6, Acura brought their own version of the X6 and now Audi has announced plans to build their own version of the crossover to serve as competition to the original.

When talking about the X6 in an interview with Inside Line, Audi Group Design’s Wolfgang Egger said: "It has been a big success in China, where it’s become a second car driven by women. There, it’s a female sports car." He then added that Audi’s Q3 (pictured above) is just enough to serve as competition for the BMW, but he also said that Audi could do better. How much better is yet to be seen.

Egger also gave InsideLine some insight on other models in the Audi lineup. He said that the A1 line-up would include a five-door hatchback, a 180-HP S1, and a cabriolet. As for the Quattro concept, Egger said that it "wasn’t dead," but has yet to be confirmed for production.


Audi prepares BMW X6 competitor and assures Quattro Concept isn't dead - Top Speed

[Boston X5 4.4]

I drove the S5 and Q5 recently and liked them (especially S5). Not a bad line up across the range.


"It has been a big success in China, where it’s become a second car driven by women. There, it’s a female sports car." - insert female asian driver joke here

(probably be flogged by the 'net police for that one)

[LeMansX5]

Audi is planning a new crossover to rival the BMW X6. Called the Q6, it would slot between the Q7 and Q5.



By GREG KABLE on 3/17/2011

Audi has kicked off development of a new performance-orientated crossover model to directly counter the BMW X6.

Set to be called the Q6 when it reaches North American showrooms, the five-seat crossover is rumored to be based around the same all-wheel-drive underpinnings as the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne, both of which use a short-wheelbase version of the Volkswagen Group's so-called Colorado platform that in long-wheelbase guise is also used in the Audi Q7.

Nothing has been made official, but in an interview with the German media at the Geneva motor show, Audi boss Rupert Stadler alluded to the crossover, saying, “We can imagine a model between the Q5 and the Q7 . . . a coupelike, four-wheel-driven model.”

Audi's decision to add the Q6 to its lineup comes after lobbying calls from its North American and Chinese subsidiaries for a standard-size SUV to counter the BMW X6, global sales of which more than doubled original predictions in 2010.

As with its key rival, the Q6 is likely to arrive on the U.S. market with a range of gasoline and diesel engines, plus a hybrid option similar to what's used on the Touareg and Cayenne hybrids.

The decision to provide the new model with what Stadler describes as “coupelike” styling and standard “four-wheel drive” also paves the way for an outwardly sporting variant from Audi quattro, the same division responsible for the company's diverse range of RS models. While still early, Audi is thought to be considering an RS Q6 model powered by the new turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 engine earmarked to appear in the RS6 at September's Frankfurt motor show.

Read more: Audi readying new crossover to rival the BMW X6 - AutoWeek Magazine

[FSETH]

Well, it sure doesn't look any worse than the X6 to me.

[Speedlogix]

That looks weird ... I guess we'll see. I love the X6 though.

[X5Sport]

Jeez if it looks like that in production I definitely won't be buying one.

I love my X6.

[LeMansX5]

Audi sets sights on BMW X6
New Q6 coupé SUV follows trail blazed by X6 , four-wheel drive and hybrid power on cards





The X6 is under attack! In its quest to fill every niche in the premium market, Audi is preparing a coupé-style SUV, likely to be called the Q6 – and our exclusive images show just what to expect.

The newcomer will be gunning for the controversial BMW X6, which has proved a runaway 
success, selling more than 110,000 units. It will be based on the same platform as the new VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, itself a shortened version of 
the Audi Q7’s underpinnings. Sacrificing some of that model’s huge load space, the Q6 will compensate with more style.

As our images show, the Q7’s blistered wheelarches and crisp surfacing will be carried over, but the smaller car will sport more steeply raked screens and a plunging roofline. Wraparound tail-lights and a curved boot spoiler create a visual reference to another Audi coupé, the A7.

While the front passengers 
will enjoy the same space and ambience as those in a Q7, the rear bench will be squeezed down to only two individual seats. Boot space will also be reduced, thanks to the lower and sleeker roof. Engines will include petrol and diesel V6s, while the same supercharged V6-electric motor combination as fitted to the Cayenne and Touareg hybrids is also on the cards.

All models will feature permanent quattro all-wheel drive as well – with the aim of boosting on-road stability more than mud-plugging ability.

There are even whispers of a flagship Q6 arriving later on, with the brand new 4.0-litre V8 turbo which will debut in the Audi S6 and Bentley Continental GT later this year. For proof that the market exists for such a car, just look at the 547bhp BMW X6 M – more than 3,000 have found homes 
globally since it arrived in 2009.

Due to the success of large cars such as the X6 in the Chinese market, it’s possible that the Q6 will make its world debut in concept form at next month’s Shanghai Motor Show. It should hit dealers late next year.

Read more: Audi sets sights on BMW X6 | News | Auto Express

[4MoJoe]

Love the X6, but def not into this; too much snaggle tooth grill.

Unfortunately I got to experience a Touareg first year woes and I'd never go back again to it or Audi for that matter.

[Naz24]

Going along with the typical cycle for BMW.

1.BMW introduces something radical (think X6, idrive, controversial trunk lip on 7-series)

2. Competitors make fun, magazines attack, etc

3. BMW has success

4. Other companies copy.

[X5Sport]

Nope, even the better images still don't move me. And then of course it also has four c@ck rings on the grille