They keep changing the launch schedule, showing all kind of variants from jack up A3 to cabriolet... if production is finalized, why the push back in showing the car? What is the point of Q5 since the next A4 Avant will certainly be roomier and sportier...

I'm a bit fed up on this whole Q5 thingy...

..is considering the Q5 as the replacement for the A4 Avant.

AOA will piss quiet a number of loyal Avant customers if they don't bring it across the pond. If they do, Q5 will compete on the same segment...

http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-2009-audi-a4-allroad.html

<center><img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j193/espnnbaboards/q5.jpg"></center><p>Audi likes money that Americans will give for the Q5. Go look at the Q7 sales. Go look at X3 vs. 3 series wagons.

for the same customer base. Look at the current installed base of A4 and A6 Avant owners. It's very small in America. The current US owners want an Avant and not a SUV or crossover.

The people who buy a Q5 will mostly be conquest sales for Audi. My family will be moving from an A4 sedan into the Q5. Why? I grew up with station wagons and really never like them. Kind of the mini van soccer mom image for me.

Also, I have a little one and like the fact that I won't have to bend over in the Q5 to load her in the carseat, like I have to in our A4.

Actually, the car I'd really like to buy is a Mazda 5 Speed. Too bad the boys over at Mazda aren't with it, or they'd would of made it by now. They have all the parts they need to do it. Just put the Mazda 6 Speed drivetrain under the Mazda 5 body.

I have to agree...

Americans want a "look at me" C/SUVlook not a station wagon. Or as the indusrty no is calling them "estate wagon". Also a downside of the allroad is the complexity of the air suspension system.

Europe will most definitely see a B8 Kombi...that there is no question. (I'll bet my left nut on a B8 Kombi for Europe.) The question is, will the (NA market inspired) Q5 SUV be a case for eliminating the NA B8 Kombi? Do ya think AoA is in such a proactive mode in reading the market? If so, wouldn't this signal a huge paradigm shift for AoA? In Europe the Kombi numbers are huge and I'd speculate the manufacturing numbers/pressure alone will dictate AoA to take their share of B8 Avant's.... My .02

Anyway, AoA listen up! Make my B8 Kombi a 3.0TDI w/ 7sp DSG, sport everything options, etc., silver metallic w/Onyx leather

2 of my kids are driving now ...dunno how much longer I will need Q7.
7 is the best car I ever owned so the 5 might ease me out of it if similar.