German Audi Considers Developing a Hardcore Off-Road SUV to Rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Germany's Mercedes-Benz G-Class is set to face two heavyweight competitors in the high-end hardcore off-road SUV market: BMW and Audi. According to previous reports, BMW's SUV is expected to launch in 2029, while Audi's 4x4 model, if put into production, would not arrive until the next decade.

Recently, designer Nikita Chuicko released a computer-generated image of this Audi model. Based on the rendering, the front face of the new car may incorporate design elements from the Concept C prototype and the Nuvolari supercar.

The body features straight-line design with a very prominent ground clearance. The rear is equipped with a full-size spare tire mounted on the tailgate, and the four-corner tires provide excellent off-road angles, particularly the approach and departure angles.

Since last October, rumors about this Audi 4x4 model have been circulating, but the company has not disclosed any information. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner once stated that the vehicle must be financially viable, meaning it must be profitable. Döllner commented: "If we develop it, it will be based on an existing platform. No decision has been made yet, but there is no doubt that we are considering it."

Scout, a brand under the Volkswagen Group that specializes in all-terrain vehicles for the U.S. market, already has a ladder-frame chassis, which could be the perfect foundation for Audi's future 4x4 model. Scout was initially designed as a pure electric powertrain, but the company later announced a range-extended electric system, where the internal combustion engine only serves as a generator to charge the battery, allowing off-road adventures without relying on charging stations.

While waiting for more related information, Audi's next new vehicle will be an all-new SUV—the Q9—which will compete with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS in markets such as the United States, the Middle East, and China.