Audi lines up 10 new car launches for 2015

Audi India had enjoyed robust sales throughout 2014, but 2015 promises to be something special with over nine launches slated for the year, www.overdrive.in reported.

The year starts with the company's flagship model, the R8, getting a pair of new eyes with the Matrix LED treatment and launched as the range topping R8 LMX and would be followed by, with another sportscar, the TT.

The test mules of the new sharper arguably better looking TT had been doing the rounds in India for quite some time now and interestingly Audi India was planning on getting the diesel variant down as also to make it one of the most practical sports cars in its category.

The line up would also include the S version of the TT, which would be seen in both coupe and convertible forms.

The four-doors would be expected to follow the sportscars, with the refreshed A6, which wears updated headlights and tail lights, new bumpers and a single-frame grille. The car would be offered to keep the fight going against the E-Class, 5 Series and the XF.

The A6 would be joined by the updated A7, which too would get a similar mid-life makeover as the four door saloon.

Meanwhile, The Times of India quoted Twinkle Krishna, vice-president, operations, Audi Chennai as saying the Q3 and A6 would be launched during the second quarter (April-June) while the Q7 would be launched in the fourth quarter (October- December).

This was being done in a bid to widen the gap with its closest competitor Mercedes Benz India.

Audi last year notched up sales of 10,851 units in the country, a growth of over 8 per cent through 2013.

The gap between the two luxury car makers is 650 units and Audi was looking to embark on an experiential marketing campaign to attract more customers.

Further the company was also betting on the A3 sedan to be a potential growth driver in the future.

Krishna said the starting price in this category was Rs29 lakh. He added, the car was perfect for a small family and it need not be chauffur-driven.

The Q3 accounting for over a fifth of the sales by volume was the highest selling model for Audi in India.

Meanwhile, Audi launched its A3 Cabriolet, a luxury convertible, in the Chennai yesterday.