Audi Teases A5 Sportback, Not Coming to U.S

While BMW overpopulates it's lineup with segment-melding, identity-confused vehicles like the X6, 5-Series GT and X1, Audi is taking a different tack in it's goal to hit 1.5 million sales by sometime around the middle of next decade. Audi is diving head first into the emerging "4-door coupe" with it's new segment line Sportback.

I think the blending of sedans with a coupe-roofline is a good idea. Audi debuted the Sportback Concept at Detroit 2009 that previewed what to expect from future Sportback models and more specifically, the upcoming A7 Sportback.

The teaser is pretty standard; offering a good view of the back but not showing any of the side or front in actual pictures. Audi is trying to build excitement for the vehicle. But along with that, they decide to throw cold water on the whole thing with the realization that it's not coming to the U.S.

In a statement released with the A5 Sportback info, Audi said that it "doesn't fit it's current plans" for the market. What's up with that? They probably figured they couldn't sell enough of them to justify the expense of bringing it over. It probably would only sell around 15k units per year tops so I guess it isn't worth it to them. I'd seriously take a look at it if it came over but we'll just have to be happy with the A7. They better bring that one!