Audi Wearside: the dealership that its customers deserve

Audi continues to lead the way when it comes to cars that stand the test of time, with many of its designs already as iconic in the world of motoring as the little black dress is among fashionistas.

Whether it’s the sweeping curves, the already celebrated Virtual Cockpit or the intuitive quattro four wheel drive system, Audi has become a true symbol of automotive perfection.

This is followed right through to Audi’s dealerships, which have set a high benchmark within the industry for their opulent and futuristic style that screams ‘You’ve Arrived’ as soon as you walk through the door.

It’s a sensation that customers at Audi Wearside know only too well and one that will pack even more of a punch when the dealership moves to its new Sunderland home on Newcastle Road in April next year.

There customers will find a 13 new car showroom, a 55 used car display and, as a show of commitment to its repair and maintenance customers, a 15 ramp workshop.

An eye-catching roof-top car park with 99 spaces reserved for cars being serviced will also mean ample customer parking on ground level.

It’s a space fitting of the brand and one which will play host to some of the most exciting cars in its history.

The new A3 hatchback range is one such car and one that has helped Audi win over even more fans. The model has always been a class leader since it was launched in 1996 and its newest iteration is no exception, surpassing the lofty expectations laid down by its predecessor, a car that has made a lot of owners very happy thanks to its rock solid resale value.

While much of its classic design has been retained, inside owners can now choose to have the 12.3 inch Virtual Cockpit fitted, giving them easy access to satnav and infotainment that is kept right within eye-line, as well as MMI Touch, which allows you to search for your destination via touchpad.

As ever there’s an amazing choice of engines, including, for the first time, a 113bhp 1.0 litre three-pot engine, which, while having clear economical benefits, punches well above its weight. Fans of engines that are a little more full fat also have the 148bhp 1.4-litre or 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbos to choose from.

Audi is also adding further weight to its Q range with the all new Q2 set to roll into Audi Wearside’s current Stadium Way site this November. With the new Q2 Audi looks set to corner the premium small SUV market as well as appeal to the younger driver, with a fresh and vibrant design that breaks new ground for the brand.

Audi itself is reluctant to pigeonhole the Q2, going as far as to call it ‘#untaggable’, another reference to the younger market that it is targeting here. The fact that Audi is fronting much of its online marketing campaign with a yellow version of the car is certainly a statement of intent (#newthinking) and with a look of a coupe and the powerful stance of an SUV, the Q2 is certainly versatile and should appeal to fans of the A1 and A3.

Elsewhere, Audi is bolstering its green credentials with the expansion of its e-tron range and the recent launch of the Q7 e-tron, giving fans of Audi’s biggest model the chance to get involved in the hybrid revolution. It’s another bold step by Audi and one that defies logic, with the car capable of economy figures you would never associate with such a large car.

With these models Audi has responded to the ever changing face of its customer base, plugging the gaps of its already hugely diverse range. It’s a range that Richard Hyde, Head of Business at Audi Wearside, is excited to be presenting to his customers at the new site when it opens in April.

He said: “Audi now has a diverse range of beautiful cars that pretty much covers all model types and it will be a pleasure to present these to our customers at our new dealership. Audi has always held a strong position in the Wearside community but our current site on Stadium Way has presented us with a number of challenges in recent years, including a limited amount of customer parking. The new design will allow us to provide the best experience possible and showcase a range of fantastic cars in the kind of building that our customers deserve.”