Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek

Audi, the premium arm of the Volkswagen group, will be introducing an avalanche of new vehicles that is unprecedented in the company's long and storied history. Excited?

Not only will Audi’s entire line be redesigned or refreshed through 2012, but it is planning to fill in a number of perceived gaps in its product portfolio with a variety of intriguing new models, from an all-new A1 minicar to a pricey R8 Targa, said Edmunds.com.

So what are the forthcoming awesome cars from the automaker?

Inside Line has gathered the following chronology and details on the company's impending introductions.

A1: The all-new minicar, based on VW's MQB transverse front-drive global platform, goes into production in late 2009. It will be based loosely on the Audi Metroproject Quattro concept that was revealed in late October at the Tokyo auto show and will be offered in three- and five-door hatchback styles. An A1 Cabrio will follow in fall 2011.

A3: Audi has just released the first official images of the new A3 Cabrio that goes on sale in Europe next spring. The A3 hatchback receives a modest face-lift at midyear, with a full redesign slated for fall 2010. It will share the MQB platform with the A1.

A4: The A4 sedan was redesigned several months ago. A new A4 wagon rolls out in spring. A midcycle face-lift is slated for early 2012.

A5: The recently released A5 coupe will be joined in early 2009 by an A5 Cabrio and in fall 2009 by an A5 Sportback. A high-performance RS5 is also in the pipeline for spring 2009.

A6: The next-generation A6 sedan isn't due until early 2011, followed by a redesigned A6 Avant in spring 2011.

A7: The all-new luxury four-door coupe — Audi's answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS — debuts in fall 2009; a preview concept could be shown in New York next spring. Audi plans to add an A7 Cabrio in early 2010. Underpinnings will be shared with the A6.

A8: A full redesign of the A8 flagship sedan is slated for mid-2010.

TT: Two new performance editions are scheduled in the near future: a TT-S in fall 2008 and a 350-horsepower TT-RS in fall 2009. The TT-S will be previewed in January at the Detroit auto show.

R8: A high-performance V10 edition, sharing its power plant with the Lamborghini Gallardo, arrives next fall, followed in 2009 by a new R8 Targa with a removable roof.

Q3: Audi's smallest crossover vehicle is penciled in for mid-2009. A hybrid variant could follow in 2012.

Q5: The new midsize, five-passenger Q5 will reach dealers in mid-2008, followed by a Q5 Hybrid in early 2010. A Porsche companion will be badged Roxster.

Q7: The first of Audi's gas-electric crossovers, the Q7 Hybrid, goes on sale in late 2008.