The Smallest Audi SUV - the Q1 - Coming in 2016

Audi, the German luxury carmaker, is one of the fastest-growing luxury car brands in the world, and is slightly behind world's no. 1 - BMW - in terms of sales. The Ingolstadt-based carmaker currently enjoys the no. 2 spot in the luxury car space and is working on several mass-segment cars which, I think, will help it grow even faster. It currently has cars like A1, A3 and Q3 in the entry-level luxury car segments, and is working on yet another mass-segment product - the Q1, which will be positioned below the Q3.

A recent report by Auto Bild suggests that the sub-compact crossover will be built on Volkswagen's MQB platform, which also underpins the A3. The report further says that at an expected price of €25,000, the Q1 will become the company's cheapest offering in its Q range of SUVs/Crossovers. That said, it will be close to the Q3 in terms of dimensions, since the new-gen Q3 will, expected to arrive in 2018, will grow in size.

Also Read: The New-Generation Audi Q7 Revealed

Coming to engines, the mini crossover is expected to come with a range of petrol and diesel powertrains. Petrol engines expected to be on offer include a 1.4-litre TFSI (140bhp & 250Nm), 1.8-litre TFSI ( 230bhp & 370Nm) and 2.0-litre TFSI (230bhp & 370Nm) . The diesel range is expected to include a 2.0 TDI in two state of tunes - 150bhp & 320Nm and 184bhp & 380Nm.

The report also suggests that a performance-oriented model - the SQ1 - might also be on offer. It will sport a 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit capable of churning out a maximum power output of 231bhp and 500Nm.