This soft-top softroader from Audi is widely tipped as a preview of the forthcoming Q5 4x4.

Take away the showcar glamour touches – such as the unnecessarily massive carbon ceramic brakes – and add a roof, and you’ll have a good idea of what rivals like BMW’s X3 will be worrying about in 2009.

Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the Cross Cabriolet quattro also showcases a diesel engine that claims to be the world’s cleanest.

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI pumps out 237bhp and, thanks to AdBlue technology, nitrogen-oxide emissions are reduced by up to 90%.