volkswagen-to-launch-new-family-of-small-suvs

TopSpeed

By TPS Staff

Published Jan 25, 2008

Volkswagen is ready to launch a new family of small SUVs. Inspired by the huge success of the joint Cayenne/Touareg/Q7 project, the company wants to take this success to a smaller level: a new family made by Audi Q1, Skoda Yeti and VW Polo SUV. Even if the most important one is the Q1, the first to arrive will be the Yeti in 2009, followed by the Audi Q1 a year later and the Polo SUV in 2011.

The Q1 will be priced at around £16,000 to £20,000 and will come to compete with the Mini Crossman, the Land Rover LRX and a potential Volvo XC30. It will be powered by a range of engines with only two displacements: a 1.4 petrol four (in power outputs spanning from 122 to 170bhp), and a 1.6-litre common-rail diesel (from 80 to 130bhp). All the engines will be mated with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearboxes. Hybrid version is also under consideration.

The 2011 Polo SUV will be built on an all-new modular MQB platform that will first be used in the Mk2 Audi A3 in 2010.

It will be powered by three diesel units that are brand-new common-rail 1.6-litre motors rated at 75, 90 and 105bhp. The smallest petrol engine is a direct-injection 70bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder. In twincharger form, this bonsai Kraftwerk is good for 105bhp.

It will be offered in two different trim-levels: Trend & Fun priced at £12,000, and Track & Field priced at £13,000.