The Audi e-tron represents the start of an electrification offensive (e-offensive) for the brand with the four rings, as it plans to launch 20 new models by 2025, with 12 of them featuring all-electric powertrains.
According to the German automaker, four different platforms will be at its disposal in its multi-model introduction. The first is a heavily-developed version of the MLB Evo, which has been expanded with numerous electronic components (electric motors, floor-mounted modular battery system, e-drive controllers, etc.) and is currently being used for the e-tron and the e-tron Sportback, with the latter slated to arrive in 2019.
The next platform is more performance-focused and will be featured on the e-tron GT concept, which will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year. During a talk presented at Audi’s Tech Park event prior to the e-tron’s unveiling, Peter Martens, board member for technical development at Audi AG stated the show car is the work of the company’s Audi Sport division.
He added that the e-tron GT will be underpinned by the platform used for the upcoming Porsche Taycan, which employs a bespoke architecture codenamed ‘J1’. At the time, we were also treated to a teaser sketch of the concept that shows a rather sleek-looking vehicle.
For vehicles in the A segment, Audi will develop cars based on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix platform (MEB). Details of potential models are scarce for now, and we’ll only get out first indication on what’s in store in the compact segment next year.
Lastly, there’s the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture for vehicles covering the high-volume B through D segments of the market. Developed with Porsche, this platform will be applied on SUV and classic body styles (sedans, Avant models, etc.); it was also developed exclusively for electric drive in mind. Audi expects the first few vehicles riding on the PPE to arrive by the end of 2021 or early 2022.
Despite its e-offensive, Audi states that it expects two thirds of the vehicles it sells to feature an internal combustion engine (ICE), albeit with some form of hybrid technology (mild, full or plug-in). It adds that there will be a push for SUV models given its take on current market trends, with 12 of the 20 models touted being parked under its ‘Q’ SUV range – seven full EVs while the remainder is a mix of different hybrids and conventional ICEs.
The company also adds that vehicles with all-electric powertrains will go on sale in the most important markets worldwide first. This includes China, which it considers a crucial market that warrants market-specific models to be introduced.
GALLERY: Audi e-tron world debut in San Francisco
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Hmph. At least I know not to ever consider Audi. Im so e-offensed at this e-offensive plan. >:(
#dad jokes
Everybody electrifying their models. Proton still tido. 5 years we still waiting for Iriz EV and 101 yrs we waiting for Proton Hybrid
dont they always fail to deliver the number of models everytime they said going to deliver X amount of models by year XXXX ^^