Audi Confirms A5 Sportback and new A8 for 2009

Press release

During Audi’s centennial, we are more conscious of our history than ever before. And we will be celebrating 100 years of Audi in a befitting manner. The single most important event is a gala festival on July 16, here in Ingolstadt. We are thrilled that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be joining us!

A couple of days thereafter we will stage a truly special soccer tournament: the Audi Cup. On July 29 and 30, four exceptional teams will compete in Munich’s Allianz Arena: Boca Juniors, Manchester United, FC Bayern Munich and AC Milan. We have planned 50 events in all, to be held at classic car rallies and trade shows as well as special exhibitions at our museum mobile.

Finally, I want to give you a glimpse of especially important new Audis appearing in the near future. We will further expand derivatization in the B segment this year with the A5 Sportback. The A4 has attracted the largest share of customers loyal to the Audi brand. And a great number of them want to move further upward while carving out their own unique identity.

The A5 Sportback is precisely what they’re looking for. This vehicle will pose a genuine innovation in the B segment: a revolutionary vehicle concept offering the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics.

We will also be presenting the next-generation Audi A8 and rest assured, Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s going to be a sensation. The A8 remains Audi’s flagship: it embodies our understanding of the word “premium”. Particularly in turbulent waters such as these, it will broadcast a very clear message, further define the Audi brand’s identity, and embody – more so than any other model – our brand values: “sporty, progressive and sophisticated”.

The A8 will be the sportiest luxury sedan in its class – and set new standards with regard to interiors. Its precision and build quality are second to none. This model naturally means a great deal to us, because it played a greater role than any other car in the rise of the Audi brand. And we will unveil it to the world in a remarkable fashion in late November.

The A1 will follow in 2010. As you know, this will be the first member of an entire family in the increasingly important segment of small cars. This car also broadcasts a clear strategic message: It is a worthy bearer of the four Audi rings on its radiator grille and it will be the first truly premium car in its category. The A1 will attract young people to Audi, and our wide range of products will thereafter serve to retain them as customers throughout their lives. In the mid-1990s, we paved the way for the A1 with the A3:

The Audi model which quite simply created the premium compact class.

Starting in 2011, we will also extend downward the premium range in the SUV sector, with the Audi Q3. We will manufacture the Q3 at the SEAT site in Martorell, Spain, which will provide us with the flexibility necessary for our model offensive. We’ll exploit the Group’s synergiesto sharpen our competitive edge while ensuring job security at all Audi sites.