According to a report by Automotive News Europe, Audi has settled on calling its upcoming compact SUV the Q1 after failing to receive permission from Fiat Chrysler to use Q2, a name owned by Alfa Romeo.
Audi sources told the publication that the German carmaker has asked Fiat if it could use the Q2 name, but received no response. Audi isn’t keen on using Q1 because the name is too close to the A1, which is based on the Volkswagen Polo and therefore smaller than the Q1 would be.
A “significant” amount of money would have been paid to Fiat Chrysler for the name, a source said, but Fiat Chrysler has told ANE that it is not aware of any approach from Audi over vehicle names.
The report adds that Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has been duelling with Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech over VW’s efforts to acquire Alfa Romeo.
Theophilus Chin‘s speculative rendering of an Audi Q6
The so-called Q1 is set to begin production in Ingolstadt, Germany next year. The sub-Q3 five-door SUV, based on the VW Golf and Audi A3‘s modular MQB platform, will fight the likes of the MINI Countryman.
Company insiders have told ANE that the Q1 will have a 10 mm higher roof than the three-door A3 hatch, while offering a choice of front- or Quattro all-wheel drive.
Other planned or upcoming Q-cars include the big Q8 (to fight Merc GL, future BMW X7), Q6 (to fight Merc GLE Coupe, BMW X6) and TT Q.
The TT Q, previewed by the TT Offroad Concept, will be to the Q5 what the BMW X4 is to the X3. So why not call it Q4? Well, Maserati owns that name, so…
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Pretty soon they can have a model called Q-razy! The Germans are really desperate to fill up their line up!
This car looks, feels and smells like my kentut. So ugly.
Its getting more n more difficult to name vehicles and apply patents worldwide…
F-pace, bentayga are few bad examples…..
Japan cars has d best names….
And create d best brands…
Japan cars with the best names? Lol.
I suppose you forgot about models from Lexus, Acura and Infiniti. With Infiniti the worst offender.
probably you only have the money on Jap cars?
TT Q, I like :)
Should just name it Titties…
ehm…..i thought it’s only normal to follow the naming policy of Q7, Q5 and Q3, and call the new compact SUV as Q1?
or, like Merc, just revamp the naming of the whole SUV range, drop the “Q” and replace it with something else, then it won’t be a problem anymore.
It will be a cute desirable vehicle if they build it exactly like the first picture.
Audi should say no to FWD.
So what you reckon? RWD?
So what you reckon? RWD?