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Rumours of a new entry Audi based on the Volkswagen Up city car have once again surfaced, as the brand seeks to expand its model lineup to boost sales.
Speaking with German industry title Manager Magazin, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said that he intends to add new models to boost Audi’s annual volume as high as 2.4 million units by 2020, up from 1.455 million in 2012.
Audi previously hosed down any hope of an Up-based Audi, despite the unveiling of the Urban concept at Frankfurt in 2011, but a cheaper sub-A1 model could be key in achieving these targets.
The brand is understandably cautious in approaching a new mini-hatchback model, as their previous attempt with the A2 between 1999-05 was a commercial failure.
Audi already has the Q5 and Q7-based Q6 and Q8 coupe crossovers in the works, but Stadler cited an Audi-badged Up and a compact people mover as further possibilities.
The development costs for such a drive on new models would likely hurt profit in the short-term, but Stadler expects fortunes to rise again as early as 2016.
Audi is no stranger to using architectures from its Volkswagen parent, with the A1 riding on the same platform as the Polo, the A3, TT and Q3 with Golf, and the Q7 with Touareg.
This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn
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