PARIS MOTOR SHOW: First steps for Audi's baby SUV

Audi’s long-held intention to progress further into the world of compact SUV’s gained further impetus at this week’s Paris motor show, via the Crosslane Coupe concept.

The two-door, four-seat SUV stepped out in Paris as a plug-in, range-extender hybrid, but its real duty is to pave the way for a production Q2 as early as 2015.

Penned by Audi design boss, Wolfgang Egger, the Crosslane Coupe is longer, wider and taller than the three-door A3 hatchback. But its 2550mm wheelbase means it is shorter overall than Audi’s existing Q3 five-door SUV, as well as having a lower roofline and shorter overhangs.

Significantly, the Crosslane Coupe is based on the Volkswagen Group’s increasingly ubiquitous MQB architecture, which will ensure an easier run into production.

The concept is powered by an 86kW electric motor and has enough battery capacity to give it a 130km pure electric range. Once the Crosslane’s initial battery charge has been exhausted, a 97kW three-cylinder petrol engine fires up to drive the electric motor and charge the battery pack.

Audi’s latest compact SUV is expected to sit below both the existing Q3 and the rival BMW X3, making it a direct competitor for the MINI Countryman and BMW X1.

Despite appearing as a pure hybrid in Paris, market realities will see it built with diesel and petrol four-cylinder engines first.

Meanwhile, the exact dimensions of its version of the MQB architecture (4250mm L x 1900mm W x 1500mm H) also provides strong hints about the size of future models including the Audi A2 and Skoda Yeti.

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