In its hope to sell more than a million vehicles by the end of the decade, Audi will be releasing a host of possible new models that it will use to fill new market niches such as this Sportback version of the new A5 Coupe. According to this latest rendering from Germany’s Autobild, the A5 wagon will feature a five-door configuration, which positions it between the Avant models of the A4 and A6.

If it enters production, the first models could be in showrooms as early as 2009 but before we see the Sportback, Audi will be launching the Cabriolet version of the A5, which is expected to hit the market next year. Although a Sportback A5 would likely compete with Audi’s own A4 and A6 Avant, the lineup’s new modular design means each car can be developed at very low additional costs. The next-generation A4 and A6 models will be based on the same architecture that underpins the A5.

Audi exec Rupert Stadler has previously boasted that his company plans to launch up to 18 new models by 2015, so we wouldn’t be surprised if it did build the A5 Sportback. Other models that are planned include the A1 Mini-competitor, A7 four-door Coupe and Cabriolet, plus an all-new mid-sized Q5 SUV and smaller Q3 soft-roader.

Building the A5 Sportback with five doors would be silly when you consider that a significant part of the A5’s appeal is its coupe styling. Also, the Sportback is too similar to Audi’s other models. A two-door hatch the size of the A5, now that would be unique.

[Source: AutoBild]