Quote Originally Posted by Benman View Post
If the Sport Quattro had rear seats, it would get the clear nod on my part. But since they are both strickly two seaters it is a tough choice!
You had better start saving, then, Ben. No definite decision has been taken about interior layout yet, as far as I know. I believe there is an excellent chance that the Sport Quattro WILL get two small but usable rear seats to make it a 2+2. Limiting the production SQ to only two seats might reduce its appeal, since many potential buyers at this price point are likely to be married and have kids. Audi already has the very focused R8 with just two seats. Since achieving adequate sales volumes is a key part of the business case, I think excluding rear seats would be risky. Those of us who knew the original Quattro well, which had 4 seats, would not expect Audi to deviate from the original formula. Moreover, the SQ also makes up for a lacklustre RS5. Since it is also destined to use this car's interior as well as sharing its running gear, I think it'll stick to the same layout. If you look at the photos on Fourtitude.com, showing the rear hatch open, you'll see there is definitely room for rear seats.

If Audi offered a standard SQ version as a 2+2, there is no reason why it couldn't also offer a stripped-out hardcore version as a track /rally car with a roll-cage, carbon fibre bucket seats, less weight and nearer 500 bhp. If you saw the SQ on Audi's Paris stand there was a model of just such a car.

Although rear legroom on any 2+2 would be tight (just like the TT), it should not be too uncomfortable, after all, the car is about the same size as a 3-door Golf or Scirocco, which both have more than adequate rear accommodation. It would definitely be four not five seats, due to the AWD transmission tunnel.

What is interesting about the SQ is that it may be a reinvention of two Audi icons, not one. It is certainly a modern interpretation of the original Quattro, but it may also represent the next incarnation of the TT, which has always been hamstrung by using the Golf platform. Using the RS5's chassis instead of the Golf's would make a future TT replacement much more credible versus the Cayman. Moving the TT upmarket also makes room for a junior Audi R4 below it.

Pure speculation on my part. But I will say this for sure: whatever the SQ comes with 2 or 4 seats, I'm getting one. my 3 kids can walk.