By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 31 Mar 2024, 13:52 PM
Audi hopes to see significant growth in India in 2024, while it also hopes the luxury car segment will cross the annual 50,000-unit sales milestone th
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Audi hopes to see significant growth in India in 2024, while it also hopes the luxury car segment will cross the annual 50,000-unit sales milestone this year.
Audi hopes to see significant growth in India in 2024, while it also hopes the luxury car segment will cross the annual 50,000-unit sales milestone this year. (REUTERS)
Luxury car sales in India could cross the milestone of 50,000 units for the first time ever in 2024, said Audi head Balbir Singh Dhillon in an interaction with PTI. His comment comes at a time when the demand and sales of luxury cars in the country have been growing at a fast pace. The luxury car segment in the Indian passenger vehicle market grew by an impressive 28 per cent in 2023, compared to 2022, with a record sales volume of around 48,500 units.
In 2023, Audi reported an 89 per cent growth in retail sales with 7,931 units, as compared to a total of 4,178 units registered in 2022. Mercedes-Benz, the segment leader recorded its best-ever yearly retail numbers in the country in 2023 with 17,408 units, posting a 10 per cent growth over 15,822 units recorded in 2022. The other German luxury car giant BMW sold a total of 14,172 units in India last year, combining the BMW and Mini models.
What’s fuelling growth of luxury car sales
The luxury carmakers hope the growth momentum in the Indian market will continue further owing to various factors. The aspirational young car buyers are increasingly focusing on luxury cars instead of mundane basic commuters and even mid-level cars. The plethora of advanced technology-aided features available in luxury cars is further fuelling this aspiration. Further propelling the growth in this space are factors like improvement of economic conditions, growth of disposable incomes and launch of a wide range of products. In 2024 as well, these factors will push the demand and sales of luxury cars, hope the carmakers.
What Audi India boss believes
Luxury car sales volumes in India currently account for less than two per cent of the overall annual passenger vehicle sales. Despite the gradual growth in this space, the market share has remained more or less at the same level for the past decade, as the overall passenger vehicle sales volume too grew at a proportional level.
Speaking about the growth opportunity of luxury cars in India in 2024, Dhillon reportedly said that as the sales grew by around 10 per cent and the disruptions in the global supply chain are not that massive, the industry could cross the 50,000 units sales mark for the first time ever in 2024. “Even if the sales grow by around 10 per cent and we do not face issues like disruptions like issues with global supply chain, we (industry) could cross the 50,000 volume mark in a year for the first time ever in 2024,” Dhillon reportedly said.
He also stated that the industry volume could reach a one lakh annual sales mark in future if the growth in the segment touches double digits. “This year if we cross the 50,000 unit mark and the growth continues to be double-digit in the coming years then we could see it happening,” Dhillon said further adding that the industry growth in 2024 may remain at a moderate level as compared to 28 per cent registered in 2023 over 2022. “This year we anticipate the industry to grow as well but not in high double-digit, maybe lower double-digit,” he added. The moderate growth projection is due to the supply chain challenges that have been hampering sales in the January-March quarter, he noted.
Audi’s plan for growth in India
Speaking on Audi’s focus areas for the current year, Dhillon stated that the luxury car manufacturer under Volkswagen Group aims to push sales further as it now has a very strong product portfolio in the country. “That is the first area and we are also looking to expand the sales infra of our pre-owned car business vertical. Last year we had 25 showrooms and by the end of this year we aim to take that figure to 30 outlets,” he noted. Besides that, Audi India is claimed to be focusing on customer-centricity and sustainable business this year.
I believe the mountains do not call everyone. Some visit them out of compulsion. I have my reasons to go to the highlands of Uttarakhand; my wife has her extended family there. Unfortunately, she’s not fond of long drives, and particularly dislikes the twisty mountain roads. Yes. Such people, even with their origins in the hills, do exist. We also had our daughter along for the ride. She neither minds the twists nor the smooth highways as long as she has some source of entertainment and her ‘papa’ and ‘mommy’ by her side.
Monday being a Holi-day, we had our long weekend planned with the extended family in Mussoorie, and I had the task of driving my people up the mountains without any complaints.
Almost a year back, the V3Cars Team drove the Audi Q7 from Mumbai to Delhi via the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The car left us impressed with its comfortable seats, superbly insulated cabin and the powerful 3.0L turbo petrol engine. There are very few cars that my wife approves of when it comes to comfort, and I knew the Q7 would get her approval.
“Are you sure we have the right car for this drive?” asked the wife, and added, “It’s going to take us more than 6 hours to reach, and it’s a long weekend for everyone else too. We need something comfortable when we are stuck in traffic.” The Q7 is plenty capable in this aspect.
We usually pack more than what is required. While it was just the three of us, we had two large bags, a laptop bag and a tote bag with some essentials for the weekend. The Q7 is a three-row car, and with the third row completely folded, the space was more than adequate. We always tell our daughter to help us with our chores. She played her part by pressing the button to lower the Q7 to help us stuff the boot!
And off we went, leaving early in the morning so that we could beat the rush. We started from Gurgaon and passed through Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar to reach Dehradun via Haridwar so that we could avoid the twisty roads. The Q7 is a mile muncher of the highest order — the front seats are particularly well-cushioned and accommodating.
Our daughter found her sweet spot in the rear bench with the Q7’s entertainment system playing her favourite content on YouTube. I liked her using it more than the iPad – this way the screen is farther and she could sit more comfortably with a lower risk of neck pain.
The Q7 is a large 5m car and it feels like it’s taking up more than just a lane on the highways. But, its 3.0L 340PS engine makes sure you can move from one cluster of slow-moving cars to the next pretty quickly. Before I even had a chance to have some fun with the acceleration, we were in the twisties leading up to Mussoorie.
Hill stations these days are heavily commercialised, but we reached before the narrow uphill roads got congested. Nevertheless, our average speed for the entire trip was around 40kmph only, such was the traffic.
While I didn’t get my chance to floor the pedal and enjoy quick acceleration, I got more than enough time to truly connect with the Q7. The Mumbai-Delhi drive was mostly on wide, flat highways where we have little opportunity to get a good sense of the Q7’s handling. Climbing up the hills, steering out one curve into the other suddenly made the car feel far more compact than it is. I never expected a car as large as the Q7 to feel so nimble.
With the car’s responsive handling, my natural tendency led me to push it a little further. Thankfully, neither the wife nor the daughter felt enough discomfort to even notice that we were keeping a good pace. Until then, I did not know if the Q7 would pass my wife’s comfort test, but I was heavily impressed with the fact that I could enjoy my mountain drive while the occupants experienced barely any inconvenience.
And so, we reached Mussoorie. Without any complaints from anyone this time around.
“Are we here already?”, asked my wife. This was probably the first time ever that she felt that the drive ended earlier than expected. I immediately knew that the Q7 had passed the test with flying colours. As I parked the car, I felt relieved as my choice got my family to Mussoorie in utmost comfort. I’m also thankful to the wonderful team at Audi India for arranging the Q7 on such a short notice.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 12 Mar 2024, 18:26 PM
The 2025 Audi A3 facelift arrives with new styling, more standard equipment and new materials in the cabin.
The 2025 Audi A3 facelift gets a redesigned front with a new bumper, redesigned LED headlamps and more
Audi AG has pulled the wraps off the 2025 A3 facelift bringing subtle yet significant updates to the popular seller. The 2025 Audi A3 facelift arrives with new styling, more standard equipment and new materials in the cabin. The A3 continues to be offered as a sedan, while there’s a new A3 allstreet that is more of a crossover between an estate and an SUV. The latter also gets a slightly rugged appearance along with 30 mm of extra ground clearance over the sedan.
The 2025 Audi A3 facelift gets a new hexagonal, frameless singleframe grille that’s new flatter and wider. The model looks more imposing from the front, along with redesigned headlights with Matrix LED lighting and four selectable signature LED DRLs. The revised front spoiler connects the two intakes on the sides of the new bumper and makes the model appear lower.
The 2025 Audi A3 facelift continues to sport a compact appearance with the nip and tuck bringing a fresh appeal
Meanwhile, the new Audi A3 allstreet gets a more rugged appearance. The model gets dark rocker side skirts, and wider wheel arches to accommodate the larger 17-inch wheels, as against the 16-inch alloys on the sedan. The suspension on the A3 allstreet also features a 15 mm higher ride height for added comfort.
The cabin on the new Audi A3 has also received subtle revisions to the aesthetics. This includes a new design for the gear shifter, air vents, new lighting, and fabric inlays made out of 100 per cent recycled polyester. The cabin comes with a new three-spoke steering wheel, while there are new finishes across the cabin for a refreshed look. The A3 range now comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the Audi Virtual Cockpit. There are also two USB-C charging ports, and an updated MMI unit with voice command, Amazon Alexa compatibility and more.
The cabin gets new a design for the gear shifter and air vents, along with a revised steering wheel, and more standard equipment
Other features on the A3 facelift include adaptive cruise assist, high-beam assist, dual-zone climate control, as well as Audi Pre-sense with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Engine options on the model include the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid turbo petrol and the 2.0-litre turbo diesel, both churning out 148 bhp and paired to the 7-speed S-tronic automatic transmission. Audi says a plug-in hybrid version will be added to the lineup at the end of the year.
The 2025 Audi A3 allstreet gets a raised suspension by 15 mm, while the ground clearance has gone up by 30 mm. It also gets larger wheels and side skirts for a rugged look
Audi has announced no plans to bring the A3 back to India. The model used to be extremely popular nearly a decade ago and was later replaced by the Q2 for a brief period as its most accessible offering. The Audi sedan range now starts with the A4 sedan in the country.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 05 Jan 2024, 18:07 PM
Apart from reporting 89 per cent sales growth, Audi also launched three new cars and three new special editions in India.
File photo of Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron models.
Audi India has announced 89 per cent growth in 2023 as they sold 7,931 units in India. This is the highest sales figure since 2015. Moreover, in Quarter 4, the brand sold 2,401 units and reported 94 per cent growth. Audi Approved which sells pre-owned cars grew by 62 per cent in 2023. In 2023, the manufacturer launched three new cars – the Q3 Sportback, the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron. Apart from this, three limited edition versions of Q8, Q5 and S5 were also introduced.
The SUV range that consists of Q8, Q8 e-tron, Q8 Sportback e-tron, Q3 Sportback, Q5 and Q7 registered 174 per cent growth. According to Audi, one in every four customers is a repeat Audi customer. Apart from this, performance and lifestyle cars including the e-tron range grew by 40 per cent.
Audi India recently opened India’s first ultra-fast charging station in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. It is developed in collaboration with ChargeZone and it boasts an impressive, total capacity of 450kW, to deliver 360 kW of power to an electric vehicle and is enabled by a 500 amps liquid-cooled gun to ensure high performance and efficiency. The charging station also has a solar roof which further supports the other electrical requirements like lighting. The Audi Q8 55 e-tron with a 114 kWh battery (the largest battery on a passenger vehicle in India) can charge from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes using this ultra-fast charger.
Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “2023 marks another successful year for us and our diverse and desirable product portfolio continues to garner robust demand. We remain steadfast to an upward trajectory, instituting industry-first initiatives, and delivering unparalleled luxury experiences. Our retail footprint is expanding, culminating in the year-end with a total of 64 touch points (includes showrooms and workshops) and 25 Audi Approved: plus showrooms nationwide. We are confident that this momentum will carry into 2024. One in every four customers is a repeat Audi buyer and this tells us that we are on the right path. We will continue to focus on industry-best offerings for our customers and of course, bringing the very best products to India.”
Audi India has announced complimentary Roadside Assistance (RSA) for its customers in Chennai in the wake of the floods caused by the ongoing Cyclone Michaung. The automaker said that the complimentary service will be available 24×7 across the Tamil Nadu capital and should offer peace of mind to owners. Audi owners in Chennai can reach out to the RSA team on these helplines – 1800-103-6800 or 1800-209-6800
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 05 Dec 2023, 19:00 PM
Audi India will extend its support to customers in Chennai through its RSA program | Image used only for representation purpose
Under the RSA campaign, Audi will offer 100 per cent coverage, on-site repairs, delivery of fuel and spare keys, travel or accommodation facilities; custody, transportation, storage and safekeeping of the vehicle as well as provision of specially designed towing platforms.
Speaking about the initiative, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “In light of the unprecedented challenges faced by the city of Chennai, we are making every possible effort to assist our customers in the city. I am optimistic that our Roadside Assistance service will promptly come to the aid of our customers, ensuring their safety and well-being.”
While Chennai had some respite from the rains on Tuesday, December 5, the city was still grappling with power cuts, large-scale waterlogging and disruption in mobile networks. Apart from Audi, Volkswagen India also announced its RSA services for customers in Chennai.
German luxury car manufacturer Audi on Monday launched the S5 Sportback Platinum Edition in India for the festive season. The limited edition model costs ₹81.57 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be offered in two colour options – District Green and Mythos Black. The model offers exclusivity combined with luxury and performance to thrill seekers and enthusiasts. This is the brand’s third special edition this festive season, after the special edition Q8 and Q5.
Audi S5 Sportback Platinum Edition is being offered in limited units for the festive season.
Exterior highlights:
The special edition model sports Matrix LED headlights with laser light technology that adds a touch of sophistication to the front fascia. The Black Styling Package with black accents on the grille, air intakes, Audi rings and window trim enhances the sporty appeal of the car. Red Brake Calipers with ‘S’ lettering and LED rear lights with dynamic turn signals further enhance the look.
Interior highlights:
Fine Nappa leather upholstery in Magma Red elevates the premium feel in the cabin of the Audi S5 Sportback Platinum Edition.
On the inside, the Platinum Edition model get Sports Seats Plus with massage functionality for comfort and luxury. Fine Nappa leather upholstery in Magma Red elevates the premium feel in the cabin while decorative inserts in carbon Atlas emphasize the sporty character of the vehicle. There are LED sills with S logo projection on the entrance of the front doors that illuminate the path when entering or exiting the vehicle.
Feature highlights:
There is an MMI system onboard the S5 Sportback Platinum Edition that offers intelligent free-text search and voice recognition functions. There is a fully digital 31.24-cm instrument cluster in full HD resolution. It comes with three customizable view modes: Sport, S performance and Dynamic. The MMI touch display allows easy integration of phone for navigation, music and third-party apps.
Engine highlights:
The car makes use of a 3.0-litre, TFSI V6 petrol engine with turbocharging and a combination of direct injection and indirect injection. It produces an output of 354 hp (260 kW) and 500 Nm of torque available between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm.
As the Audi A4 2021 gets ready for its debut in India, how much have things changed and how many of these changes are for the better? I got a test drive unit in the last few days of last year to find out if Audi’s big present for year 2021 is capable of carrying forward A4’s popularity in the luxury sedan segment and if it can indeed keep rivals mostly at bay.
And it was quite a revelation indeed. Let’s begin with the experience behind the wheel and behind the front seats.
Drive or be driven, A4 checks most boxes in bold font
The 2021 A4 is a facelift and we will come to the face and the lift in just a bit. Under the hood though is the debut of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor in this car and it belts out 190 hp and has a tantalizing 320 Nm of torque. For those who may still be wondering, no, this Audi too has no diesel on offer.
A4 from Audi has proportions that blend a classy look with a sporty touch. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
Get inside and get it to the drive mode and it is amply clear – yet again – that here is a sedan with the ambitions of being even more sporty than what the numbers would suggest. There is a nice humdinger aura around the A4 as it makes its way forward on city roads, the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox working in tandem with the TFSI engine to deliver a constant stream of momentum.
And once the city skylines begin to fade, the promise of a more sporty drive begins to permeate.
Now the A4 has never really been the sportiest executive sedan around and the latest model isn’t too keen on going down this road either. But in the interest of offering something to he or she who may choose to drive it around, it does offer a bit more bang – Audi claims the new A4 can fire to 100 kmph in just a fraction over seven seconds and it is a claim with weight.
That A4 can sprint a bit is quite evident in the right drive mode but what it doesn’t lose out on while trying to be an Usain Bolt is its ability to also be Mo Farah. But does it really bolt to be called Bolt? Not quite. The sedan does have a sense of purpose around it but it won’t really win many drag races because it continues to prioritize balance over sheer speed thrills. Traction control on or off, it swerves ever so slightly when the pedal is slammed from standstill on a straight line, realizing a micro-millisecond later what it is being asked to do – run and run as hell.
Ideally, I would have liked a bit more feedback from the steering wheel at high speeds because it mostly remains rather muted once one picks up pace. It is well-weighted but lacks a bit of character.
No such complaints on the quality of the drive though as I remained firmly in the seats even when taking a sharp turn or a sudden U, with body roll to a minimum. The suspension is also typically Audi and the A4 gobbles speed breakers while letting in some of the bigger road craters at moderate speeds. And while suspension set ups in cars in this segment usually tend to be on the slightly softer side, the A4 could have ever so slightly gone a bit more towards the middle line.
Jump to the back seats though and it is a fine ride back home.
The recline of the rear seats are such that while the seating position is upright, it isn’t uncomfortable. A button for recline adjustment could have been great though. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
The rear seats are generous, plush and offer decent amount of space – for two. The space for legs and knees is commendable even if a tall driver is at the front, but the under-thigh support is just about adequate. The head room too is decent and the recline degree is such that even though you won’t be sitting uncomfortably upright, you will get breezy view of the surroundings. More on the cabin a bit later though.
For now, the style statement.
A4 gets botox treatment. And it works
The A4 is an executive luxury sedan and it is just great how the car has blended its stately looks with a profile that also appeals to those looking for something appealing. The 2021 A4 gets a number of visual updates but all of the changes appear to continue to enhance its bold-not-brazen exterior character.
The single-frame front grille is absolutely new – it gets a chrome boundary line and chrome horizontal slats – and is now wider than before, underlined by a reworked grille. The LED head light unit is also sleeker than in the preceding model and now integrates the pattern turn lights. There is a bit more chrome on the fog lamp enclosing while the bonnet now gets two stretched out character lines on either side and is more sculpted – almost curvaceous – than before.
The imposing single-frame front grille is the defining element of the new A4’s face. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
My test unit sat on 17-inch alloy wheels but there is an option to get a larger 18-inch set as well. With either option though, the A4 looks smart from the side and, somehow, has a more stretched out appearance. There are body lines on the side doors and the windows are decently large and enclosed in a chrome casing.
Interestingly, the door handles now pull slightly upwards rather than outright straight out. One major grouch here though is that the doors have to be almost slammed with a sense of impunity because a congenial push is going to set the (door ajar) alarms ringing – literally. This is the most annoying when seated inside and pulling the doors in.
Out and over to the rear is where the re-designed tail lights are at and the slight curve up over the boot lid, the chrome exhaust tips and the grey skid plate all add to a very attractive posterior.
The A4 sedan has a clean rear profile with chrome only at a minimal. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
Classic cabin chronicles
The cabin of the new A4 is actually where the bulk of the updates are at. Step inside to see how the car has stepped away from its predecessor.
The standalone 10.1-inch main infotainment unit is just what I want to see in every Audi car – yes, including the Q2 which has a toy-like 8-inch-screen – because it is just so a) vivid, b) responsive and c) great to look at. Frankly, I really don’t mind that there is no second screen for air-conditioning because the physical dials just below the touchscreen work well to ensure the three-zone climate control is simple enough to set and forget.
The standalone 10.1-inch infotainment system sits much like a crown on the dashboard of the new Audi A4. High-quality materials give the A4 a premium cabin appeal. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
Between the AC dials are a number of switches for functions such as selecting drive modes, auto ignition cut off, traction control, park assist and for proximity sensors. And still below is a 12V charging socket and a USB point. There is a storage space for a phone here but one can also make use of wireless charging in the space under the central armrest.
The center console itself is done well in black and piano black finish and while it can be a dust magnet, it looks really premium if well maintained. The gear unit is well within reach – not something I can say about the drive select button – and has the two cup holders as well as space to secure the car key.
Knick-knacks aside, the cabin is actually defined by the soft-touch materials all around – from the dash to the side doors, and the nicely cushioned seats come with high-quality stitching. It is just so important for a premium car to look and feel premium, and thankfully, Audi has not cut corners in this regard. Obviously, the front seats can be electronically controlled for position, recline and support, while the steering wheel can be manually adjusted for rake and reach.
Buttons and switches to electronically adjust front seats is standard in this segment of cars. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
The A4 also gets a regular-sized sunroof which can be electronically controlled to allow more light to flow in to mix and match with the beige upholstery in this review car unit.
The same sense of pleasing aesthetics continues over at the rear with the same level of premium quality on the side doors and seat cushioning. The floor hump is quite high which means the third person in the middle is going to struggle but three is often a crowd anyway. Two at the back won’t have anything much – except perhaps the lack of any AV unit – to complain about.
If packing in additional luggage emerges as a concern though, don’t fret. The rear seats fold down in 60:40 split for additional options in a near-flatbed layout. Just that these have to be done from within the cabin and there is no switch in the trunk which also misses out on a 12v charging point and instead, gets four luggage hook and a shopping bag hook to keep things in place.
The rear seats can be folded together or in 60:40 ratio for more luggage storage options. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
To buy or not to buy
The A4 from Audi has been a stellar performer for a number of reasons. It has pleasing visual aesthetics, a spacious cabin that is also premium and a drive attribute that is a nice balance between stately and sporty. Now, the 2.0 litre engine and the seven-speed automatic gearbox only go to add to the abilities of the A4. Add to it enhanced looks and updated cabin and there is no reason why Audi’s latest in 2021 shouldn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The only two points of note is a) pricing and b) rivals. The competing field is one that is packed with very capable performers as well, each making a solid claim to find a place in your garage. The much-acclaimed Mercedes-Benz C-Class, although slightly aged, and 3 Series from BMW have their own sets of strengths while the Jaguar XE is easily the most youthful of the lot, at least to drive. Then there is the new Volvo S60 that is ready for a March launch with the promise of more spunk in drive and the same mile-long list of safety highlights.
If Audi prices the A4 well, somewhere in the region of a starting tag of ₹42 lakh (ex showroom), it could once again become a disruptive force in its segment.
Audi has unveiled the interior design language of its upcoming EV SUV Q6 e-tron which comes as a screen-packed vehicle. The Q6 e-tron will be the brand’s first EV that will be built on its new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. The vehicle gets a total of three screens facing the passengers – an OLED gauge cluster, an infotainment touchscreen and one front-passenger dedicated touchscreen.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 04 Sep 2023, 16:23 PM
Audi Q6 e-tron gets a total of three screens – an OLED gauge cluster, an infotainment touchscreen and one front-passenger dedicated touchscreen.
The OLED gauge cluster measures 11.9-inch and the infotainment touchscreen measures 14.5-inch, while both these reside under a single curved bezel underlined by ambient lighting. Another 10.9-inch touchscreen is dedicated to the front-seat passenger, and has a way of blocking the driver’s view of its contents, per safety regulations.
The electric SUV gets a new Android-based infotainment software which gets a ‘self-learning voice assistant’. It responds to – “Hey, Audi.” and can learn a driver’s preferences gradually and even make suggestions. Coming to the optional head-up display (HUD), it comes with augmented reality.
When the SUV’s speed, navigation directions, or traffic signs are reflected onto the windshield, the HUD tilts forward their images to create the impression that they’re floating in front of the vehicle. Audi claims this helps reduce distractions, particularly in low-visibility situations.
Another interesting feature inside the Q6 e-tron is the customizable ambient lighting. The vehicle also has interactive lighting elements such as a welcome action and the ability to notify people when the vehicle is locked and unlocked. Other features include mimicking the turn signals and visualizing the EV’s charging levels.
The steering wheel is squared-off and is flat on the top and bottom and hosts a bunch of touch-sensitive controls. Coming to its exteriors, the Audi Q6 e-tron’s dimensions are said to be similar to that of the ICE Q5 SUV.
The Indian government has announced that it will lease 20 Audi bullet-resistant cars at the cost of ₹18 crore for the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled for September 9-10, 2023. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact check handle on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirmed the development. The Audi armoured cars will be used for the security needs of the foreign dignitaries who will attend the G20 Summit.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 26 Aug 2023, 18:52 PM
Delhi Police along with Traffic Police officials conducts a Carcade Rehearsals for the G20 Delegates ahead of G20 summit at Kartavya Path in New Delhi (Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times)
India will host the G20 Summit for the first time, which will have leaders from over 20 nations in attendance. The cars will be used to ferry the visiting dignitaries over the two-day period. PIB Fact Check also clarified that the provision of bullet-resistant cars is a standard protocol procedure for all Head of State (HoS) and Head of Government (HoG) visits.
✔️ The Government of India has leased 20 Audi Bullet Resistant cars for 18 crores to accommodate the security needs of #G20 visiting Leaders. No cars have been purchased.
✔️Provision of BR cars is a standard protocol procedure for all HoS/HoG visits.
The G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi next month and is scheduled to take place at ‘Bharat Mandapam’ at the ITPO Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan between September 9 and 10. Apart from the ITPO Convention Centre, foreign dignitaries will be visiting other venues including Rajghat, IARI Pusa, and NGMA (Jaipur House). The guests will also visit the new convention centre at Pragati Maidan in the national capital.
This year’s G20 Summit is open for discussion on several important issues including advancing green growth and climate finance; promoting rapid, inclusive, and adaptable economic expansion, expediting progress towards sustainable development goals; navigating technological transformations and developing digital public infrastructure, reforming multilateral institutions to suit the 21st century and fostering Development under women’s leadership.
The G20 Summit comprises 19 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, T¼rkiye, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union. The countries invited this year include Bangladesh, Comoros, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the UAE.
