Audi will be giving the Audi Q5 compact crossover SUV a couple of new engines, although these engines aren’t headed for US releases anytime soon.

Two new smaller engines for the entry-level Q5, only in Europe for now

Along with the Audi A4 Allroad, the Q5 will be getting the 143-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel engine and the 180-horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder gasoline power plant. The two will be leaned on to give buyers more options in the entry-level segments, along with better efficiency and savings options.

It is unclear when the Q5 equipped with the new engines will be released Stateside, if at all. The A4 Allroad executive car isn’t even released in the US.

Audi Design Competition Poster

The next crossover, sedan, or whatever type of vehicle from Audi could be designed using Spore™, that evolution-based game developed by Maxis and released by Electronic Arts.

This design competition takes design to a whole new level and brings a totally different approach, as the game is based on developing something from the most basic cellular entity to a full-fledged spacefaring organism.

Audi’s own process for designing vehicles is something of a parallel to this so-called  “Creatiolutionism” gameplay of Spore™. That’s why Audi is using the game’s engine for the evolution of designs, taking current cars as the base and letting designers ‘evolve’ these designs into what concepts might be possible 15 years down the road.

Designers will submit a single image of the final concept, and Audi will select winners whose designs embodies “the future of Audi design”.

Grand prize winners are in for a trip for 2 (all expenses paid) to the Audi Design studios and VIP bookings at the Arlberg Hospiz Hotel. Second-placers will get a customized, Spore™-themed high-spec gaming computer. Design competition shirts await 20 third-placers.

The only sad thing about it is that the competition is open only to German citizens. Boo. Hopefully, Audi will consider opening the competition to worldwide participation. Just imagine the endless possibilities!

Source: Motor Authority

Audi Q5

Edmunds.com, that hotbed of all sorts of automotive-related information, has reported that its Audi page received a spike in visitor hits right around the time the Audi Q5 crossover ads aired during the 2009 Academy Awards.

The Audi commercial, which featured the recently-released Audi Q5, contributed largely to a 26-percent increase in views for Edmunds’ Audi pages. We all know increased viewership is almost assuredly linked to increased sales.

The Crossomotive office is just experiencing a little internet suck-time, so we can’t get around to posting the video of the commercials just yet. Rest assured, we’ll have them embedded as soon as possible.

Source: Examiner.com

The Q1, out 2012 at the earliest

Audi is looking as far ahead as 2012, when it is slated to release a crossover positioned below its current Q3 model. Sources say that the new vehicle will be an entry-level CUV and is likely to be dubbed the Q1.

The Q1 would have to be smaller than the brand’s other compact crossovers, the Q3 and Q5. In fact, a German car magazine even labeled the Q1 as a “Baby SUV.” It will probably be based off the upcoming Audi A1 minicar, featuring a body which is styled more similarly to a Coupe rather than an SUV. The Q1 will be bigger than the A1, maintaining a tall ride height. Audi has also hinted at 2-door and 4-door options for the Q1.

It’s still too early to be sure about the Q1’s powertrain and other specs, as trends might shift. Of course, it’s obvious that Audi would be going for better fuel efficiency with this smaller CUV. Tentative reports indicate that the Q1 will have several powertrain options, including standard, TSI, and TDI variants.

The Q1’s development timetable is too far down the road that it’s difficult to gauge it right now. A lot of things could happen, like the industry rebounding in a year or two. So, we’ll leave it at that and just wait for the next batch of released details from Audi.

Source: Motor Authority