Autocar recently rummaged through some trademark files, coming away with some interesting applications from Volkswagen’s Audi division, including some nameplates that haven’t officially been earmarked for production.
Among those findings was an application for “SQ2″. Audi has long been rumored to be working on a smaller crossover called the Q2, with the SQ2 presumably a performance version of that vehicle. Audi recently expanded its performance-minded S lineup to its SUVs in the form of the SQ5.
Audi also filed for the “SQ4″ name, indicating yet another performance utility vehicle could be in the works. Although not much about the Q4 program is known, Audi is believed to be penning the stylish crossover in the same vein as the Land Rover Ranger Rover Evoque.
Audi will also be expanding its lineup on the upper-end of the SUV spectrum, with a trademark for “Q9″ seemingly confirming rumors of a new utility vehicle to sit atop the current Q7.
Lastly, the UK auto magazine discovered a trademark application of the “f-tron” name. Set to join Audi’s current range of ‘tron’ vehicles – which includes the e-tron and g-tron – the f-tron tag will be used to identify fuel-cell vehicles. The first application of the f-tron name could be on a hydrogen-powered version of the A7 sedan.
Of course automakers sometimes trademark certain nameplates simply to protect their intellectual property, but, given Audi’s aggressive expansion in the SUV segment, we suspect these applications have some production intent.
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