L.A. Auto Show: Audi Debuts Diesel SUV Ragtop Concept

Drop the all wheel drive, put a VW badge on it and call it the "NEW GHIA."


I like it. But what do I know, I drive a NB.

that is one ugly THING

waistdeep said:

that is one ugly THING

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Amen. Maybe you've got the name right. It could be called the NEW THING.

That's what you get you let an Audi mate with a PT Cruiser convertible - blech...

The New Thing. That'd be cool with me. Could keep the AWD.

I still like it.

Should look like this when the real thing is shown in Detroit.

not bad

I like that they are mashing up two divergent segments. Akin to the X6 concept. I won't buy this thing but I appreciate it.

That second picture is better. The first picture is Fugly. The front grill looks like one of those kitchen gadgets that slices a hard boiled eggs into thin slices. EEK

They're not gonna make that thing.

AWD is a great idea for adverse weather regions, convertibles are not.

They already have the TT and A4 cabriolet - neither of which can be had with a diesel (yet).

It sure is ugly.

Wouldn't a TDI A3 make better sense? Maybe that is what this is, the next generation A3.

cptmox said:

Wouldn't a TDI A3 make better sense? Maybe that is what this is, the next generation A3.

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oooooo that's a WAY better idea. Sign me up for one!

N.Y. Times Automotive Section had this to say:

AUDI CROSS CABRIOLET QUATTRO This concept car is part S.U.V., part off-roader and part convertible — and 100 percent fantasy. Still, it was one of the few creative design studies shown here.

Yup, looks like a cross between Subaru Tribeca and Infini (I don't know the model name). It is somewhat on the ugly side if you asked me.

waistdeep said:

that is one ugly THING

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I saw that Audi TDI convertable. Liked everything but it's projected price, far more than I can afford. More interesting was a Jetta TDI station wagon they call the "Sportwagon". Susposed to go on sale this summer, 2008. Also on display at the "Dieselution" exibit was a German spec Polo with a 3 cylinder TDI 4 door hatchback, that is susposed to get 70 MPG! It appears slightly larger than the Rabbit 4 door from the '70 & early '80s. I really like the Polo diesel & wish we could get it here!

I'm afraid that all of Germany, Inc. is experiencing a nice heavy dose of, GULP, "the fuglies."

Think back to the '90's and early '00's. Both Audi and VW had a serious case of the handsome and desirables. Then all of Germany went down hill about '04. Some earlier. The car pictured here loses it with the big honking grill and side lines that change abruptly ahead of the door to get all curvy. Yuck. Doesn't work~! The simple line made so much more sense before. I liked the Bauhaus look. Now they're looking like a '90's Pontiac~! Funny, because it's just the time that the Pontiac is getting it groove back on. The G8 is, SEXY. And will compete directly with Germany with competative interiors and overall build quality...

Scary, but true. GM is about to make a comeback. I have never liked them before. Now they're looking great.

~BG

Styling lowest priority for me

Although I like a nice looking car, styling is my lowest priority & regretfully, the average American's highest priority. That is why we got cars from Detroit into the '70s that were big, heavy, couldn't handle, corner, or stop without brake fade, got 10 MPG, but looked nice & often rode well because they were so heavy.
My priorities are fuel economy, handling, safety, durability, comfort, hatchback or station wagon hauling capacity at an affordable price. To prove the point, I bought a new 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 out the door including CA. sales tax & license for $11,643. I am not happy with its 29 MPG highway, 26 MPG city fuel fuel economy but at 105,000 miles, it has filled my other priorities well. However, I felt & still feel it is one of the uglyist looking cars on the road. However, beauity is in the eye of the beholder. I frankly don't care if my car looks unique or like other cars on the road, if it can get over 50 MPG & satisfy my other priorities, that is the car I want. So far, only two cars can meet my priorities, a Toyota Prius & the forthcomming VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon. I lean twards the TDI Sportwagon because I think it would handle better, get slightly better fuel economy (eventual battery replacement has to be factored into overall Prius fuel economy), & has better carrying capacity, although the Prius is a hatchback.

I thought it looked fine -- maybe not the most revolutionary concept at the show, but production-worthy.

Kind of looks like a Tiguan convertible except for the front grill.

I would point and laugh at whoever drove that.

VFchicago88 said:

I would point and laugh at whoever drove that.

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What, you think a bloated looking convertible with puffy tires looks funny-hee-hee? Um, I agree. Silly looking!

They must have hired the "fork" designer...

rag-top, booooooooo kinda looks like this smilie who's heard of a 4X4 convertible? I'm not refering to AWD, I'm talking about Baja looking 4X4...

...what about the Crossfire? great hype going on - aggressive, sexy, etc., I don't see too many around..
and this "very affordable" German car reminds me of a some Chrysler design... this big, bully nose trend is getting old. What about aero dynamics? I guess, as long as the big nose is round....
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_A5/S5.html