No Audi A1 convertible or SUV... Yet

Audi's A1 has been a resounding success for the German brand, selling more than 118,000 sales worldwide after less than two years in the marketplace. But plans to expand into SUV and convertible genres are on hold until at least 2016.

The A1 Sportback (pictured) arrives in Oz from June 2012 and it will bolster Audi's ability to compete against the MINI, but the expansion of the range will not match MINI model for model - at least not in the current generation.

At the A1 Sportback International launch, motoring.com.au spoke with David Marx, Head of Product Marketing for the A1 Sportback, who explained that while a facelift will happen in a couple of years time, the likelihood of SUV, convertible and coupe A1 models is a fair way off. We will see a number of special edition models in the interim however.

"It's too soon to tell [for a convertible A1]. The new design of the [second generation] car is not ready yet. I would love to see a convertible. For the moment, no coupe either," said Marx, who explained that the most lucrative market for the MINI Roadster is the USA: "...and A1 is not sold in the USA, so there's no reason for us to have one."

While a major expansion of Audi's entry-level compact car range will not happen in the short term, Marx suggested the next generation A1, based on a new platform, would be a different kettle of fish.

"Of course for the second generation, we could bring more derivations to market. For us we came with the three-door A1 then the Sportback now, but in the next three, four, five years we won't have anything different.

"It takes time and money to make new cars. The difference is that MINI is a completely separate brand. A1 is part of Audi, we cannot do the same thing in terms of customisation [for new model types]. We use technology and progressive design with Audi A1," concluded Marx.

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