The Mercedes G-Class and the all-new Land Rover Defender have become urban motoring legends. Their strong presence in pop culture has made them top choices for younger buyers. To achieve similar success, Audi has been working on launching an all-new rugged SUV that will compete with the likes of the Defender and the G-Wagon.
According to a report by Autocar, Gernot Döllner a German engineer, business executive, and CEO of Audi AG-teased the development, saying, “Stay tuned.” The report further mentions that the unveiling is on the horizon. The upcoming SUV will showcase new design elements and tech features, which will eventually be shared across the broader Audi lineup.
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New Audi 4x4 - Details So Far
The new model will allow Audi to fully leverage its quattro legacy. Autocar also reported that Audi’s former design head, Marc Lichte, had previously said the project had potential. However, he was soon replaced by Massimo Frascella, a key figure in the development of the new Range Rover Defender.
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This leadership change has sparked speculation that Audi is seriously pursuing the creation of a rugged 4x4 SUV to rival the G-Wagon. It may follow the design philosophy recently seen in the Audi Concept C.
Powertrain
While powertrain details remain unclear, it's possible that the new SUV could share components or design with the Scout Motors’ Traveller SUV-a product from Volkswagen Group’s Scout Motors.