Audi Wants To Know If Americans Really Want An RS Avant

Wagon fans have reason to believe!

Audi’s RS family of fast family cars have always been popular with American consumers, albeit mostly as crossovers. However, there has always been a gaping hole in the hearts of enthusiasts who pine for the mythical RS wagons Audi offers to European customers. Well, following the reveal of the RS5 Sportback at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, Audi says it’s not ruling out the possibility of selling RS Avants in America.

“We always look at potential new opportunities in the market. It’s a niche to explore,” Filip Brabec, vice president of product management for Audi of America told MotorTrend. “We keep holding discussions. Keep writing us letters.” Nothing is imminent as the market for wagons in America, let alone hot-rod all-wheel-drive wagons, is quite thin compared to Europe. “The RS 6 and RS 4 Avants are well accepted in Europe,” quipped Michael Renz, the new head of Audi Sport worldwide to the magazine. “In the US, it might be a different situation.”

Audi hears the cries of Avant aficionados in America, and certainly won’t rule out the possibility of one day potentially importing the Avants as weird RS flagships, but the company won’t commit to anything either. Once upon a time, from 2006 to 2008, Audi offered American's the B7 RS4 in sedan form, but decided to skip North America with the next generation B8 RS4, which was only offered as an Avant. For now, Audi Sport is quite focused on selling the RS5 Sportback, which the company views as the most expressive type of sedan that speaks to a totally different breed of buyer.

“The Sportback is not a weird hatchback,” Renz said. “It adds to a sedan, as a beautiful layer on top of that. It’s for sedan buyers who want to be a bit more expressive. The Sportback offers more image than the Avant. There is a clear hierarchy. The Sportback is for young families who are looking for a sporty, fashion-oriented car with functionality that they can put the kids in. The Avant customer is a little bit older, more entrepreneurial.” Regardless, you heard the man, start writing those letters sports fans.

An All-Electric Aston Martin SUV Is Really Happening

A break from tradition but a necessary revolutionary step for the British carmaker.

Aston Martin may have held out longer than most but it will soon be joining other luxury car manufacturers in adding an SUV to its range. To make up for lost time, the new SUV which will revive the Lagonda nameplate, will also be all-electric. Details are limited, although unlike the original Lagonda sedan of 1989, this one will definitely not be using a 5.3-liter V12 and its electrics should actually work. What we do know is that the Lagonda name will be a sub-brand under which technologically-advanced new models will be released.

The SUV is penned for its debut in 2021. Andy Palmer, CEO for Aston Martin stated that the Lagonda brand would allow them to pursue a more modern approach to car design that catered for the needs of 21st century motorists. The first glimpse of the design direction of the Lagonda SUV was shown at the Geneva International Motor Show in May. Its sleek lines and futuristic interior were a new move for the brand and Head of Design, Marek Reichman said that the boldness of this concept vehicle would be translated into the final production version too.

While traditionalists may bemoan the move to an electric drivetrain and the now ubiquitous SUV body style, such a big leap is necessary for a company such as Aston Martin to survive and be relevant in the motor industry going forward. Reichman reiterated this as he spoke about creating an SUV that was unique to drive and would serve as a vanguard for the future of the top echelon of luxurious sports cars. He was equally excited about the new design opportunities that an electric drivetrain layout provided, so while the new Lagonda may not be like any Aston before it, it will still be imbued with the latest luxuries and technologies that customers from the brand expect.

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Audi Wants To Know If Americans Really Want An RS Avant

Wagon fans have reason to believe!

Audi’s RS family of fast family cars have always been popular with American consumers, albeit mostly as crossovers. However, there has always been a gaping hole in the hearts of enthusiasts who pine for the mythical RS wagons Audi offers to European customers. Well, following the reveal of the RS5 Sportback at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, Audi says it’s not ruling out the possibility of selling RS Avants in America.

“We always look at potential new opportunities in the market. It’s a niche to explore,” Filip Brabec, vice president of product management for Audi of America told MotorTrend. “We keep holding discussions. Keep writing us letters.” Nothing is imminent as the market for wagons in America, let alone hot-rod all-wheel-drive wagons, is quite thin compared to Europe. “The RS 6 and RS 4 Avants are well accepted in Europe,” quipped Michael Renz, the new head of Audi Sport worldwide to the magazine. “In the US, it might be a different situation.”

Audi hears the cries of Avant aficionados in America, and certainly won’t rule out the possibility of one day potentially importing the Avants as weird RS flagships, but the company won’t commit to anything either. Once upon a time, from 2006 to 2008, Audi offered American's the B7 RS4 in sedan form, but decided to skip North America with the next generation B8 RS4, which was only offered as an Avant. For now, Audi Sport is quite focused on selling the RS5 Sportback, which the company views as the most expressive type of sedan that speaks to a totally different breed of buyer.

“The Sportback is not a weird hatchback,” Renz said. “It adds to a sedan, as a beautiful layer on top of that. It’s for sedan buyers who want to be a bit more expressive. The Sportback offers more image than the Avant. There is a clear hierarchy. The Sportback is for young families who are looking for a sporty, fashion-oriented car with functionality that they can put the kids in. The Avant customer is a little bit older, more entrepreneurial.” Regardless, you heard the man, start writing those letters sports fans.

View the original article here