Odds & Evens: Audi Reveals New Plan for EV & ICE Model Names
As Audi introduces new models and refreshes old ones, electric Audi model names will be even-numbered, while ICE vehicles transition to odd.
Earlier this week, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann revealed the company is going to delineate between its BEV (aka e-tron) and internal combustion-powered vehicles as new models debut and current models receive mid-cycle refreshes. In short, electric vehicles going forward will join the Q4 e-tron with even numbers. (Which is why Audi is transitioning the original e-tron into the Q8 e-tron when it releases its mid-cycle refresh.) And all hybrid and ICE-only vehicles will transition to odd numbers.
As many of you already know, Audi is done developing new internal combustion powerplants as the company makes the full transition to an all-electric auto manufacturer. The plan, as we understand it, is to roll out 20 new or refreshed vehicles by the end of 2025. And we’ll see the final new internal combustion Audi in 2026.
As for future electric names, we already know the Q6 e-tron will arrive sometime this year. The aforementioned o.g. e-tron will soon become the Q8 e-tron. Plus rumors indicate Audi’s working on vehicles based on the activesphere concept as well as the grandsphere concept (which may become the A6 e-tron). Audi also says it’s working on a vehicle that’s smaller than the current Q4 e-tron, which could mean an A4 e-tron or an A2 e-tron.
What Does This Mean for Audi’s ICE Vehicle Names?
Exactly how this will play out is anyone’s guess. Well, Audi knows, but, doesn’t “comment on future products.” But let’s look at what we know and what we’ve heard. Naturally, the A3, A5, A7, Q3, Q5, and Q7 are safe at the moment (well, until they’re phased out and everything Audi makes in a BEV).
Which leaves us with the following:
- A4 – Motor Authority says a new A4 is coming in 2024, at which point it may become the A5. How this impacts the actual A5 remains unclear.
- A6 – An new A6 should also be coming for 2024, but no word on if it’s joining the A7 family.
- A8 – It appears as though this name will remain until the model is discontinued.
- Q6 – It’s unclear what will happen to the China-exclusive Q6.
- Q8 – CarBuzz says the Q8 is set to receive a midcycle refresh late this year and may be renamed the Q9
- R8 – We are in the final model year of the R8, so it’s going away regardless.
Photographs by Michael S. Palmer
