German automaker Audi’s electric car portfolio already looks pretty decent, offering the Q4 e-tron, Q8 e-tron and e-tron GT model. There are different versions of each and the ‘Q’ models are available in both regular and sportback body styles. Simply put, there are options. However, we can call all these models an expensive high-end car, Audi is still missing a budget-class electric car, how can we even talk about “budget class” in the case of Audi. However, such a car is being prepared, confirmed the chairman of the board of the Audi brand Markus Diesman.
“By 2025, we will come up with 20 new models and at least 10 of them will be fully electric. We have taken the course to become a 100% electric car manufacturer,” said Dīzmans at the company’s annual press conference.
Audi representatives do not specify whether all these models are completely new cars, or whether this number also includes modernized versions of existing models, or facelifts. We know that we will expect the Q6 e-tron SUV in the second half of the year. It will be the first Audi model to use the new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform jointly developed by Audi and Porsche. This model will be related to the electric version of the Porsche Macan.
Audi will then launch a range of electric sedans – the A4, A6 and A8 will get electric versions, but they won’t be the only models. And here we come to Audi’s budget-class electric car – Diesman confirmed that a model is being prepared, which will be positioned below the current Q4 e-tron. It will be about A3 size. Considering that Audi plans to present only new electric cars from 2026, it is very likely that this future car will replace the current A3.
The manufacturer has not yet announced more information about this new, more affordable electric car, but we can get some insight from the recently presented ID.2all concept. The size of the car is similar to the Volkswagen Polo, but it is more similar to the Golf in interior capacity and in terms of luggage capacity it also surpasses the current Golf Mk8 model. Perhaps Audi will offer its own version of this machine.
Diesmann reiterated that Audi will completely stop using internal combustion engines in 2033, which is 7 years after the last Audi with internal combustion engines will be presented. Compared to the previous year, the demand for Audi electric models worldwide increased by 44 percent in 2022.
