The sun is setting on the Audi TT, at least in its current internal combustion guise. Audi’s electrification push as part of the larger Volkswagen Group could also see other models in its product line-up go fully electric, or be terminated altogether.
“The company has been involved in too many projects for several years. There will be things in the future that we no longer do, or things we do less,” said chairman Bram Schot at the company’s annual general meeting, adding that this means less complexity in new models and in the company’s model range as a whole.
The iconic Audi TT will be replaced in a few years with an electric car within the same price range, the chairman noted, while hinting that the mid-engined R8 – in its present form, at least – hangs in the balance. “Focusing also means leaving out. Do we need [an R8] successor with a combustion engine? Does this fit in with our vision? The discussion will will give us an answer to that,” he said.
And even though Audi’s current A8 made its debut just under two years ago, the German automaker has already hinted that its flagship sedan could likely go the purely electric direction. “That has not been decided yet, but I can well imagine it. We are thinking about revolutionising the top-end class with a completely new concept for the A8,” Schot said in his speech.
Given the current, D5-generation A8‘s youth in its lifecycle, there is plenty of time for a firm decision to be made in Ingolstadt; the previous D4 made its debut in 2011, giving it a lifespan of six years before its successor arrived. Further along Audi’s model line-up, there could be more to follow the full EV route.
Of the 20 new models Audi has planned for launch by 2025, 12 will get all-electric powertrains. Among them is the e-tron GT which was shown as a concept late last year, slated for production in 2020.
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