Can an Audi ute succeed where the Mercedes-Benz X-Class could not? Premium Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger-rivalling pick-up is 'not too far' away

Could Audi be planning to enter the premium ute space and pick-up where the Mercedes-Benz X-Class left off?

Maybe, according to comments from the global Audi boss.

Speaking to journalists before the brand’s annual earnings report, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann was posed a question of whether an Audi pick-up was possible, to which he replied: “I can’t promise that we will do one, but we are looking into it.

“Actually, we will present – not too far from now – maybe something,” he said.

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Of course, the comments are cryptic, vague and non-committal enough where anything is possible, but it is interesting to note that Audi could have access to Volkswagen’s Amarok to use as its own upmarket ute.

Volkswagen’s second-generation ute, due to be revealed later this year, will be built in conjunction with Ford and share many elements with the heavily Australian-influenced Ranger.

The new Amarok is set to score a turbo-diesel V6 powertrain – possibly the 3.0-litre bent six found under the bonnet of the top-spec Ranger-based Everest, but outputs are yet to be revealed.

Expect to see the new Amarok V6 at least match the existing car’s 190kW/580Nm outputs, while features such as selectable four-wheel-drive modes, cutting-edge interior and advanced safety systems are all but officially confirmed.

As such, Audi could add upmarket interior flourishes, reworked styling and possibly more sound deadening to create a premium ute, much like what Mercedes-Benz did for their X-Class that used the Nissan Navara as a base.

Another tact that Audi could take is to use an existing SUV platform, like the MLB Evo architecture underpinning the Q5 and Q7, to build a more road-focused pick-up in the same vein as the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Or Audi’s boss could simply be hinting at a an outlandish concept car like its AI series of vehicles that have covered off-roading with the AI:Trail and urban mobility with the AI:Me.

Either way, time will tell what Audi has in store.