Audi is systematically and comprehensively continuing its electric car offensive. At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the brand is showing four all-electric drive vehicles including the Audi E-Tron GT, the series versions of which will celebrate their premiere by the end of 2020. In addition, four new plug hybrid versions as a world premiere and the fully electric Formula E race car Audi e-tron FE05 will be displayed on the Audi stand – which consists exclusively of electrically driven cars this year.
The Audi Q4 e-tron concept and the European debut of the Audi e-tron GT concept will be unveiled at the press conference at the Audi stand in hall 1. It starts on March 5, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. (CET) Chairman of the Audi Board of Management, Bram Schot: “We have set ourselves a clear goal – one in three new Audi vehicles sold will have electrified drive in 2025 already. Because we are pursuing a clear vision – we are committing ourselves to emission-free mobility.”
Audi will supply the first member of this new quartet of electric vehicles, the Audi e-tron, to customers soon. The company will introduce the series-production version of its coupé equivalent, the Audi e-tron Sportback, later in 2019. Audi will present another electric car in a few weeks in China. Named the Audi Q2 L e-tron, the first customers will be able to take receipt of 2019. Two further series-production debuts will then follow in 2020: the Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron. Concept cars at the stand in Geneva provide a look at these two future models.
In addition, still in 2019, a brand plug-in offensive involving virtually all market segments will take place. New to the range are hybrid versions of the high-volume product lines Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q5. Audi are also making their public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Both of the established plug-in versions of the Audi A3 and Audi Q7 can also be available for order again – with revised technology – in 2019.
In the future, a total of four technical platforms and product families will be the foundation for offering electric vehicles in every segment from A to D. Close collaboration between the Technical Development of other Group brands leverages the synergies required for a broad, global range.
The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback use components from Audi’s modular longitudinal platform. This and numerous innovative technologies, primarily in the area of drive systems, are giving rise to a separate product family of e-SUVs with electric quattro all-wheel drive. Fast charging with up to 150 kW and a range suitable for long-distance journeys promise full everyday use.
Audi already presented the first member of another e-platform in 2018. The Audi e-tron GT concept showcar, a highly dynamic coupé with a low floor, made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Audi developed this technology in collaboration with Porsche. The design and character of the e-tron GT concept are packed full of unmistakable Audi DNA.
Another joint project of the development departments at Audi and Porsche is the Premium Architecture Electrification (PPE). It will be the foundation for multiple Audi model families with all-electric drive covering the high-volume B through D segments. Audi planned both SUVs and classic body concepts with a low vehicle floor. A major strength of the PPE is that Audi developed it exclusively for electric drive. This offers advantages with respect to weight, the package and the proportions of the body.
Several Volkswagen Group brands are collaborating on the development of the modular electrification platform (MEB). This will serve as the basis for a series of Audi e-models, particularly in the high-volume A segment.
AUDI AG will also greatly expand its range of plug-in hybrid automobiles. “In the future, virtually every market segment will include models powered by a combination of an electric motor and a combustion engine and that can be charged at an electric outlet,” says Chairman of the Board of Management Schot.
For more automotive-related content, subscribe to the evo India youtube channel