Audi has de-listed the A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5 and Q7 model from its India website and have said that BS6 versions of these models will only be introduced with either a facelift or a generation change.
Audi launched the new A6, the Q8 SUV and the new A8L limousine in the last six months in India and as it stands now, these will be the only models on sale from Audi in India currently. The carmaker has sold out all BS4 stock of its other models and delisted the cars from their webiste as well. Audi has said that the BS6 versions of these models will only be introduced with either a facelift, or a full model change. The models yet to receive their BS6 update include the Audi A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5 and the Q7.
In an interview with Autocar India, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “With BS6 regulations, we have decided to revamp Audi’s entire product range in India. Therefore, all our upcoming products will either be brought to India for the first time or will be the next generation or facelift at the least; we shall be doing this in a phased manner.”
Lets see what’s in store for each model, starting with the entry level A3 and the Q3. It has already been announced that Audi will be launching the next-gen Q3 in the coming months. In fact, the new Q3 will arrive at a time when Mercedes-Benz will also be bringing the second-gen GLA to India. However, its not quite the case for the A3 sedan. Audi has revealed the net-gen A3 sportback internationally but the sedan version is still yet to make its debut. And then it will take some more time for it to come to India. So the BS6 Audi A3 is still quite some time away.
Coming to Audi A4, this is the model that is expected to get its BS6 update at the earliest. Audi has already revealed a minor facelift for the A4 internationally but the India-spec BS6 Audi A4 could be launched with a much more significant facelift in the coming months. Aside from styling tweaks, the model is set to get an upgraded infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen unit. The A4 is expected to continue with the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine option as before.
Coming to the A5 and the Q5, the carmaker has already introduced a facelift for the A5 in the international market last year and it could closely follow the BS6 A4 in India. However, the wait for the BS6 Q5 could indeed be a long one. Audi hasn’t revealed any updates to the Q5 globally and with the ongoing coronavirus scare, the process will likely be delayed further. And then, it will take some more time for it to make it to India.
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Lastly, it brings us to the Q7. Now the Q7 has already been updated globally and it adopts Audi’s bolder new styling language and promises to bring back the butch appeal of the first-gen SUV. It has been completely refreshed on the interiors too and gets Audi’s new dual-touchscreen infotainment setup. The Q7 was last available in India with a 250hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. After the A4, this is the model most likely to make it to India.
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Summarizing the situation, BS6 versions of the Q3, A4, A5 and the Q7 are definitely in the horizon and should be launched within this year itself. However, the BS6 versions of the Audi A3 and the Q5 could even take up to a year to arrive to India. Also, Audi being part of the Volkswagen group has ditched diesel engines for India and it would be interesting to see how the carmaker refreshes its lineup with petrol-only models. That said, the carmaker has not completely given up on diesels and could bring them back in the future.
