The Volkswagen group has plans to double component sourcing from India, which will not only provide us with new job opportunities but will also shift us a step closer to the developed nations from the importance perspective.

The company will spend €10 million in the Indian market, mainly for expansion which also includes the addition of a new assembly line at its Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra to assemble its premium SUV Q7 and the upcoming Q3 junior crossover, expected to launch in June-July 2012.

Audi India managed to sell 667 units in Jan this year as compared to 480 units last year boosting its sales to a whole 39%. Audi India is revamping its whole fleet of cars with the recent launches like the new A8, A6, R8 cabriolet and RS5 and with its aim to launch 7 new vehicles like the TT Roadster, A4 facelift, S6 and the Q3 this year, meeting its sales target of 8,000 units is going to be very easy in 2012.

The spyshot is not crystal clear and hence our preliminary studies to detect an A6 proved inconclusive. The roofline and headlamps don’t look like they come from the A4.

Even if this spyshot is not of the Audi A4 facelift, we have other spyshots and video as proof that Audi’s testing it in India for a 2012 launch.

Yesterday we saw BMW’s all-new 3 Series sitting collecting dust at the Mumbai port and today our good folks at Motorbeam show us the new Audi A4 chillin’ in Mumbai. The new A4 is not a generation shift. The changes, based on the current model, are mainly cosmetic with revisions to suspension settings and an improved steering system that consumes less power, thereby marginally improving fuel efficiency.

There are minor changes around the body like new chrome inserts, headlights styled like the A6, new tail lights and a different exhaust system. The powertrains are a straight carryover. Audi is expected to launch the new A4 just after BMW announces the new 3 Series in India. Audi’s next big launch is the Q3 crossover that can help it close in the gap to Mercedes Benz.

[Source - MotorBeam.com]

WhatCar reports that the Ingolstadt giant plans to use the A1 platform as the base and build a compact SUV which will sit under the existing Q3. The Q1 will be wider, taller and will have a better ground clearance than the A1 thanks to a revised tire and wheel package more suitable for light off-roading.

The decision to go ahead with the Q1 is still in conceptualization stage. Audi executives will soon take a decision whether this diminutive SUV could see the light of the day. So don’t expect the Q1 on the shelf anytime soon.

But this does pop up an interesting question – As the A1 and Polo are the same bodies in different clothes, will Volkswagen manufacture its edition and utilize the platform further?

[Source: WhatCar.com]

According to reports on popular websites and blogs, the new A3 is coming out in hatch, sedan and cabriolet forms. In the initial stages it will make use of powertrains from existing options in the VW Group. The 2L TDI from the Passat should make the cut. Due to its size, we feel the A3 will be positioned under the Q3 thereby forming the new entry-level barrier for the Audi India range.

The design of the new A3 could be the lowest point in its chapter as it is uninspiring and feels like a minimized and cropped A4 or A6.

[Source - WorldCarFans.com]

Tomorrow, Audi India will showcase this vehicle at the Auto Expo. The launch is expected to unfold in the next 3-4 months.

The Q3 will be launched at the Expo in two engine variants – a highly refined 2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that pumps out 214 PS and a 2-litre, 179 PS TDI diesel mill. Giving company to the Q3 will be the S6 sedan which is a sportier iteration of the A6. Powered by a 4-litre, 420 PS engine, the S6 can propel the sedan from 0-60 kmph in 4.8 seconds.

Audi would also be showcasing the electric hybrid concept of the A3 at the Expo. It uses a hybrid powertrain of a 1.4-litre, 210 PS TFSI petrol engine and a 27 PS electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. Giving company to the e-tron A3 will be the R8 Spyder powered by a 5.2 FSI V10 engine.

Although, there is no news of the company showcasing any sort of Concept, we have a feeling that the e-TRON R4 concept might just make a surprise appearance.

Audi’s sales were boosted by the launch of two important models this year. First is the A6 sedan which borrowed a lot of tech from elder sister A8 thus making it an exceptional sedan in its category. But the real volume raker – Q3 finally clinched it for Audi. Our readers are well aware that they will get an exclusive glance at the Q3 come 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

The top honors will be snapped up by BMW third year in a row with an astonishing 1,252,205 vehicles over Audi (1,193,110) and Mercedes (1,136,525).

So what is the implication of this story on Indian automotive sector?

Audi India has set a target of becoming the second best luxury marquee in India by 2013 and is looking long and hard at their product portfolio to include some volume drivers. The Q3 will be marketed very aggressively to raking in volumes. We could also see ‘corporate editions’ (stripped out variants) of the existing products with an aggressive price tag.

The Indian subsidiary is resonating the international aggression as it plans to showcase the e-tron and some other hybrids at the 2012 Auto Expo. The company has set an ambitious target of 7,500 units for the next year and is looking at 50% growth rate.

Source: AutoNews & HinduBusinessline

The first variant in the A3 series is the hatchback spied during cold weather testing in Europe. The interior layout and components is same for different body styles, so we can ignore the hatchback body for this image. It somewhat stays true to the concept car’s interior with jet thruster inspired air vents, large dials and expanded MID tucked between them.

Audi is expected to drop the familiar two-liter diesel engine under the A3′s hood. They have a wide selection of petrol engine to pick from. Testing of the sedan model is expected to start in 2012 with market introduction scheduled for mid-to-late 2013.

[Source - AutoWeek.nl]

Unlike the new 3 Series or the new C-Class, the new A4 has not grown in length. The exterior of the new A4 is somewhat similar to the A5 with a new grill and new headlamps. The most significant changes can be observed inside the car which now comes with new steering wheels and trimming options. The Audi MMI has also now been upgraded.

The 1.8-liter TFSI and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel  are further refined to be more environmentally friendly. Other mechanical changes include a revised suspension and a new electromechanical power steering.

Hopefully, we will get a closer glimpse of the new A4 at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.