Audi TT Q crossover SUV firms for 2017

An extension of the Audi TT family with a new SUV derivative looks on the cards for 2017, based on comments from Audi’s board member for technical development Ulrich Hackenberg.

The company has not been shy in the past about its intention to leverage the TT badge into a style-driven sub-brand, but it has not been clear about the first step.

It appears now that a crossover perhaps called the TT Q will be the favourite. Audi doesn’t own the rights to the Q2 or Q4 badges â€" Fiat brand Alfa Romeo does â€" and it doesn’t rate Q1 as a name for this particular vehicle.

The TT Q would become a rival to the likes of the Range Rover Evoque, and potentially a sportier alternative to the Q3 or Q5 in the same vein as the BMW X4 and forthcoming X2.

Audi revealed three concept TT iterations between January and October last year, commencing with the Audi Allroad Shooting Brake, then the TT Offroad crossover (pictured in yellow at top) three months later and finally the Mercedes-Benz CLA-rivalling TT Sportback four-door coupe.

Pictured: Audi TT Sportback Concept.

It has long said it would produce at least one of these, though hasn’t ruled out a greater expansion. The goal appears to be to create a sub-family of cars with a dash of style that sets them apart from some more austere Audi cousins.

Speaking at the Geneva motor show this week with media including CarAdvice, Hackenberg said the company had one favourite to behold, but a different favourite to produce. It appears the TT Offroad concept holds the edge, though the call has not been officially made.

“We [released three concepts] for two different reasons, one is that we want to grow and we want to increase our volume and to do that we need additional model lines,” he said.

“On the other hand it is very important that we are in a place where we create new design language. Last year we gave an opportunity to our designers to further develop the Audi design language, especially the TT design language. We gave them different vehicle concepts to do that.

Pictured: Audi Allroad Shooting Brake Concept.

“The best was the last one, the TT Sportback, it was very perfect from the design side. But if you look to our existing model range you’ll there’s already a similar car.

“The strongest segment for the growth side is the SUV, and in our SUV portfolio there is room for additional models. The TT Q car is the favourite … but the decision [has not yet been made].”

Asked how long it would take to produce a production version if it were approved, Hackenberg said: “For realising such a car, it’s possible to do that in a little over two years.”

Don’t forget, Audi intends to spend 24 billion euros ($34 billion) to develop technology and expand production of its total range including incremental new models by 2020 as it chases global volume leader BMW.