Audi diversifies vehicle lineup to target premium market

Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro / Courtesy of Audi Volkswagen Korea

By Kim Hyun-bin

Audi is strengthening its after service network and bolstering its vehicle lineup in order to appeal to a wider range of customers in the burgeoning domestic market for imports.

To keep up with growing demand for premium and high-performance automobiles in the country, Audi Volkswagen has diversified its lineup from sedans to SUVs, electric vehicles and high-performance models, offering domestic customers a wider range of choices.

Audi began selling the R8 V10 performance coupe here in February and has also been focusing on expanding the lineup of its best-selling mid-size SUVs, including the Q5, SQ5 and Q5 Sportback, while expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the e-tron Sportback.

The Audi e-tron GT and Audi RS e-tron GT, which are the EV versions of the German automaker's sports cars, were released, Monday. Audi sold a total of 21,242 vehicles in Korea from January to November this year, ranking third among all imported car brands.

The premium Audi A6 sedan, which is its best-selling model, has become hugely popular in the domestic market. Sales of the Audi A6 45 TFSI model totaled 851 in October, as it became the best-selling imported car here. From January to November, sales of Audi's A6 models reached 9,895, becoming top-selling Audi model.

The Audi A6 first appeared in showrooms 1968 as the Audi 100 and has undergone eight different evolutions in nearly half a century. In particular, it is loved by domestic consumers because it boasts the widest body of any competing model in the same class, a more refined and sporty design, stronger performance, excellent fuel efficiency and cutting-edge convenience and safety features.

The Audi A6 45 TFSI Quattro is equipped with a 2.0L in-line 4-cylinder gasoline direct injection turbocharger (TFSI) engine, four-wheel drive and a 7-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a maximum output of 252 horsepower. It exerts a torque of 37.7 kg.m. The vehicle boasts a fuel efficiency of 11.4 km/l.

Audi logo / Courtesy of Audi Volkswagen Korea