It's not news that Audi built the A1 to compete directly with the MINI Cooper, or that BMW is upping the ante with a little extra competition in the form of a new front-drive 1 Series hatchback (for Europe only). But now it appears as though the two German rivals will take their small car tit-for-tat further, extending into the real of compact, and even sub-compact crossovers.
With BMW's new X1 model and the recent release of the MINI Countryman, Audi's smaller Q3 model is set to debut soon – possibly as early as this Fall's Paris Auto Show. But Audi isn't going to stop there with reports suggesting a Q1 model could also be in the four-ringed automaker's plans. Based on the VW Polo/A1 platform, this small soft-roader could get a version of the 178-hp 1.4-liter twincharger engine.
And with the A1 most certainly a European exclusive (at least fur its first generation) there's word that the Q3 could be sold in North America after all.
More:
Audi Q1 Likely, Q3 Could See U.S. Shores on AutoGuide.com
Audi Q1 Likely, Q3 Could See U.S. Shores
