The gap between sixth and seventh generation VW Golf will be much more noticeable than the one between the fifth and the sixth. Instead of opting for the ‘constant update’ strategy, as it’s done sone so far, Volkswagen has this time decided to push harder and have produced a bolder vehicle, arguably more visually engaging than its predecessor.

The Golf VII is quite similar to the IV due to the use of the hyped MQB platform, which has reduced the vehicle’s dimentions. The German hatchback will in fact result lower than the previous model, with a more sloped windscreen, while the MQB platform will provide extra comfort, increased security and efficiency. In regards to the Golf VII, Top Gear has revealed that it will weight 135 less than its predecessor due to the extensive use of aluminium and high-strength steel.

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Audi is feeling the compact SUV and crossover love right now, it would seem, as after the brand new Audi Q3 released just recently, we could apparently see an Audi Q1 appear. Beyond competition with the Mini Countryman, we can’t really see the point in a model like this, but it seems nearly all the car makers are racing to create an entire SUV range from small to big. And when you feel like you might be the one left out, that’s a pretty big incentive to build a new model that might or might not be useful.

An Audi Q1 production run is being given as a real possibility, with Autobild saying the Q1 will cost 25,000 euros when it hits the market. The carmaker still hasn’t chosen a Q1 platform to use, though, with a possible option being the A1 Sportback quattro ready for 2013. If Audi decides to wait for the new MQB platform, we may not see the Q1 debut until 2015.

The future ultralight Audi A2 platform could also be an option, as it will be destined for three different models. In this case, the Audi Q1 wouldn’t arrive before 2016 and we wonder if we’d see it all at this point. So perhaps one of the two previous options will emerge, especially as Audi will probably want to take advantage of the current trend in small crossovers.

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These renderings of the future Audi A3 show the 2012 model which will debut a few months before the new Volkswagen Golf 7. The two new cars from the VAG group will share about 70 percent of the same components, from the so-called MQB platform. The new Audi Q3 compact SUV in turn will anticipate the A3 and its new components in a model which will debut in 2011.

The third generation A3 will be availale in a three-door coupe version and a five-door Sportback version with a similar look around the doors to the Q5 and the Q7. The new Audi A3 has a planned production schedule of 200,000 units a year and with the shared Golf platform, we could see hybrid and electric versions emerge.

Standard versions of the A3 will appear with the three-cylinder, 1.2-litre TDI engine with 75 hp, which has CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km. The top of the range Audi S3 will have the 2.0-litre TFSI twin turbo with 300 hp. A new engine to appear will be the 2.0 TDI with increased power to 184 hp and the whole engine range will be Euro 6 compliant.

New Audi A3 renderings

Source | Auto Motor und Sport

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