Audi has given the green light to its first MPV, with sources saying it will become part of the current A3 family.
It will probably be offered in five and seven-seat configurations and could be badged ‘V4’.
The A3’s MQB architecture offers the flexibility to build models with an elevated driving position and the new car will probably use the longer rear overhang of the MQB’s saloon version to host a third row of seats.
Industry paper ANE has reported that a concept version has been built, but Audi bosses are yet to decide whether to reveal it at September’s Frankfurt motor show.
Audi has long struggled with the MPV format. The high-roof Roadjet concept was first shown in 2006 at the Detroit show but it didn’t make any further progress.
Last summer, now-departed Audi sales and marketing chief Peter Schwarzenbauer told Autocar the traditional MPV “was a boring concept” but that an Audi with “six or seven seats” was a possibility.
It could, however, be three years before the high-roof Audi reaches showrooms.
For all the latest news from the Frankfurt Motor Show, stay tuned to Autocar.co.uk.
Join the debate
Add your comment
The market has been screaming
The market has been screaming out for a "Premium" MPV for ages. Yes Mercedes came up with the ill thought out R Class and you can get other brands SUV's with 7 seats but a real premium MPV is still missing - and this is the market Audi appear to be looking at.
Look at it logically, if you currently drive a Mercedes C, BMW 3 or Audi A4 and have children, where do you go next? You can't stay loyal to the brand. Those driver are forced in to the likes of the Zafira / C-Max / S-Max etc - which isn't always a bad thing but for those that MUST have the badge.......
As much as I hate to say it, an Audi MPV will sell my the bucket load, probably at a price point that is several thousand higher than the VW.
A "Boring Concept" it may be but one that is bound to earn Audi a lot of money.
So what we are talking here
So what we are talking here is basically a Zafira (functionally/size wise) with a posher badge and £10K added on? sounds not one to miss!
Traditionally...
... Audi has always followed BMW and Mercedes. So nothing different here.
What next? An electric car or a hybrid? Or are those still a few steps too far?