In its quest to achieve a sales target of over 1 million vehicles per year, Audi is planning new models at an increasing rate.

Over the past 12 months we’ve seen the introduction of many new models including the A5 Sportback, A7 Sportback – not to mention the sports derivatives such as the Audi TT RS, Audi R8 Spyder, Audi R8 GT – and most recently the Audi A1.

The A1 will have many spin-offs, including the Audi A1 Sportback, Audi S1 and Audi A1 Cabriolet. What you might not know however, is that the A1 family will receive a new member, the Audi Q1 or the Allroad version of the A1.

Yes, consider it a small crossover, fitted with an all-wheel-drive transmission (2-wheel drive is also considered), which will use the Suzuki SX4 platform. With the advent of VW’s 19% stake in Suzuki, it seems that Volkswagen wants to use all the advantages in order to be world’s number one automaker.

Expect the design of the Audi Q1 to take its cues from the Q5 and Q7 models, while under the bonnet we are likely to find two familiar power plants: the 1.4 TFSI engine, delivering 118 kW and the 2.0-litre TDI engine with 103 kW.

The 2011 Audi A1 broke cover less than 10 days ago and already we have preview renderings of the Audi A1 Cabrio – one of the family of variants expected to be built on the A1 platform.

The renderings are just what you’d expect: a convertible version of the A1 hatch. No surprises there. Also no surprise is the likely use of a folding soft top. Audi may be billing the A1 as the first true premium sub-compact, but it still has to meet a reasonable price point, so hardtops are likely out. Power will be the same as the engines found in the standard A1, including a pair of TFSI petrol engines and a TDI turbodiesel.

The Audi A1 Cabriolet will add to Audi’s arsenal in the battle with BMW’s range of Mini variants. Other A1 derivatives will include a five-door hatch, like the Sportback concept, and a sporty S1 variant. The S1 is expected to house a 1,4-litre TSI engine producing 147 kW – enough power to provide competition for the MINI Cooper S.

Production and sales of the Audi A1 Cabriolet are expected to start in 2012.