Audi News: A1, A2, R8 Roadster?

Audi is coming off a record year in 2008, with over 1,000,000 cars sold for the first time. While the company is likely to give up those gains this year, the brand is poised for more success in the future. The goal is for 1.5 million units by the year 2015 or 2016 (originally the goal was 2015 but they delayed it by a year just recently).

With that in mind, Audi is working on expanding their lineup with a lot of new models, and is trying to play every release for maximum sales. Cadillac needs to do the same thing; right now their lineup is looking pretty bare.

Some of the all-new models and model lines to be released include the A5 Sportback, A7 Sportback, R8 Spyder, Q3 Crossover, A1, potentially a new A2 and an Audi based on the Volkswagen Up is even being considered for farther out. Quite a list! A new A2 would again be a technological showcase like the original that debuted in 1999. It's unlikely that it would reprise the all-aluminum construction of the original though.

So a lot is going on at Audi, not to mention all the other redesigns of existing models that will be introduced like the next-generation A8, A3 and A6.  For small cars, I think the A1 promises to be an excellent entry. The concept that was debuted to preview the model is very good looking.

What enthusiasts are most looking forward to though is probably the roadster version of the mid-engined R8 Sportscar. It is set to debut at Frankfurt along with the A5 Sportback.