Audi: 38 Percent of all Models Sold in 2010 were Equipped with Quattro Drive

In 2010, the year that Audi celebrated the 30th anniversary of the quattro, it sold an impressive 437,792 quattro-equipped cars, or about 38 percent of its total production. The brand with the four rings said it sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium manufacturer in the world.

The most popular all-wheel drive Audi was the Q5 compact SUV, with 155,025 sales. The German company will soon add a hybrid version to the Q5 range, while a smaller SUV, the Q3, is due to be launched next month at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Aside from the Q5 and Q7 SUVs, the quattro system was also a popular choice among other models, ranging from the A3 to the A8. According to Audi, almost a quarter of all “A” series model sales in 2010 were vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive,

“Quattro is one of the Audi brand’s greatest success stories, and today we are writing what may well be its most exciting chapter,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi board of management member. “As we move down the road toward electric mobility, we see entirely new possibilities for Quattro technology. The electric quattro of the future will be even more agile, safer and – above all – more efficient,” adds the executive.

Audi offers more than 130 quattro model variants if you take into account the different body types, engines and transmission options. The most advanced version of the quattro system, available in the RS5, A7 Sportback and the new A6, features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Report: Porsche Cajun said to Launch in a 3-Door Body Style First, will be Based on the Audi Q5

*The above photo is a rendering from a Teamspeed forum member

New details on Porsche's junior SUV have emerged a day after the company confirmed the Leipzig plant as the production site for the new car. German car magazine AutoBild reported that Porsche will launch the compact SUV in a three-door body style adding that the Cajun will have a sporty character to differentiate it from the Audi Q5.

Porsche originally intended to launch the Cajun as a five-door model, but later decided it would be better to start off with a three-door variant since it doesn't want to affect the sales of the Q5, upon which the Cajun is based.

The Stuttgart automaker also feared that a five-door Cajun might threaten the Cayenne as well, so the company is said to have decided to give its smaller SUV a much more dynamic appearance. However, Porsche did not exclude a five-door version in the near future.

In order to hide the family relationship with the Audi Q5, the Cajun will have unique body panels and a coupe-like profile, wider and lower body, shorter wheelbase and smaller front/rear overhangs. According to AutoBild, the Porsche will offer room for four passengers.

On the technical side however, the Cajun will be similar with the Audi Q5, sharing components such as steering, transmission, axles and the four-wheel-drive system. The suspension, braking and dynamic control systems will be developed by Porsche, in order to give the car a much sportier handling.

The Cajun is rumored to be offered with four units at launch including a 2.0-liter turbo petrol with 240HP, a 3.0-liter turbo petrol V6 with 290HP, a 2.0-liter diesel with 190HP and a 3.0-liter diesel V6 with 265HP.

Porsche will later release performance upgrades for the diesels - with 204 and 300 ponies respectively – while the gasoline V6 unit could spawn a 350HP version. Further plans include a hybrid model, which will be technically identical to the Audi Q5 Hybrid. The Cajun is expected to be launched in late 2012 or early 2013.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Autobild , Renderings: Teamspeed forum member Wildspeed

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