Audi announces plans for 2008 Audi Q5

Audi today announced plans to build the much-rumored Q5 crossover in 2008. The automaker will invest around 300 million euros into the Ingolstadt production facility over the next several months. The Audi Q5 will join the Audi Q7 as the Audi brand's second model in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. "The Audi Q5 will be an overtly sporty vehicle that will add an important product to the Audi model range. The Audi Q5 will take us a big step closer to vehicle sales of 1.4 million per year, a target that we have set ourselves for 2015,"? said chairman Martin Winterkorn. At present, the Audi A3, A3 Sportback, A4 saloon and Avant, and Audi TT Coupe are built in Ingolstadt. Recently, Audi announced plans to build the R8 supercar at Neckarsulm and the A5 coupe in Ingolstadt. In related 2008 model news, Lotus yesterday announced plans to build a 2008 Esprit replacement. [speculative artist rendering by AutoBild]