Audi Confirms A5 Sportback and new A8 for 2009, Q5 Hybrid also in the Works

During his speech at Audi AG's annual shareholders meeting in Germany, Audi Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler, revealed that the automaker is planning to present the next-generation A8 in November and extend its range with the new A5 Sportback sometime in 2009. Furthermore, Stadler confirmed earlier reports that Ingolstadt based company is also working on a hybrid version of the Mercedes GLK rivaling Q5 SUV and that the A1 minicar is due for a 2010 market launch with the Q3 small SUV following in 2011.

This means that unless Audi has another surprise up its sleeves, the four-door coupe derivative of the A5 is most probably the new model that the maker said its preparing to unveil during the celebrative festivities for the firm's 100th anniversary in Germany on July 16.

The A5 Sportback is in essence the production version of the sleek-looking Sportback Concept that was first shown in Detroit in the beginning of the year. Expect to see a familiar Audi engine lineup, including the latest 2.0-liter TSI with 211HP, the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 290HP and a 3.0-liter V6 diesel cranking out 240HP.

"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," said Stadler.

"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"

As for the brand new A8 sedan (see the spy shots here), Stadler said claimed that it will be the sportiest model in its segment and that it will redefine people's notions of a luxury car's interior.

"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"," Stadler told Audi's shareholders.

"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."

Audi to Unveil an-all new Model on July 16 - Can you Guess which one it'll be?

During the opening ceremony for the celebrative festivities on occasion of Audi's 100th birthday at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt on July 16, the company will unveil an all-new model in front of around 2,500 invited guests that will include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the automaker has announced. Audi did not disclose any details on the car that it is planning to reveal, but we are aware of most of the cars that are destined to join in the German automaker's line-up in the very close future.

These include in random order, the R8 Spyder, A1 minicar, A5 / A7 Sportback, Q3 small SUV and the RS versions of the A3 and A5 Coupe. Our guess? We would probably give our vote to either the R8 Spyder or one of the Sportback models. If you happen to know something we don't, feel free to enlighten us with a comment below.

Audi A1 Sportback Hybrid Concept Image Galore

Following on from the three-door A1 Metroproject quattro presented at the 2007 Tokyo Show, Audi showed off a slightly revised 5-door variant of its city car concept in Paris. The 3.99-meter long (13.09 ft) and 1.75-meter wide (5.74 ft) vehicle gives us a clear view of how the production model will appear when it hits showrooms in 2010 becoming the new entry-level model in the German automaker’s vehicle line-up. -Continued

Under the bonnet, the premium five-door hatch sports a transversely mounted 1.4-litre TFSI engine developing 150PS and 240Nm, and directing this to the front wheels is an S tronic dual-clutch transmission. A 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor integrated in the drive train is able to deliver up to an additional 150 Nm of torque (110.63 lb-ft) when the vehicle is accelerating.

Although this hybrid powertrain may be offered in the near future, the production A1 that will be available in both three-door and five-door body styles will most likely hit the market with a new 1.2-liter TSI gasoline engine developing around 110 HP as well as the 1.4 TSI with outputs ranging from 122 to 150 HP and quite possibly, a 2.0 TFSI with 211 HP which will fit under the hood of the sporty S1. The range will also include a variety of diesel units.

Audi A1 Sportback Concept: Updated Image Gallery

Before we let you go get your fix from our new image gallery of the Audi A1 Sportback Concept, we’d just like say that you’re going to be seeing a lot of updates here on Carscoop today as we’ll be constantly updating our stories on the Paris Show concept cars and production models throughout the day (and night…). Follow the jump to check out the fresh bunch of photos that just hit the net or click here to read our initial article on Audi’s premium mini hatchback model. -Continued