Audi to keep lineup fresh amid EV shift

Production issues that flowed from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the global microchip shortage also impacted Audi's product planning cycle, causing some vehicle interventions to slip from previous schedules.

Still, the German premium brand is continuing its transition to an all-electric lineup, and it will use styling cues to help differentiate its internal combustion engine vehicles from those powered by batteries.

Audi remains committed to ending sales of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2033 and ending development of new gasoline engines in 2026.

Most of its internal combustion models will still have at least one more product cycle, or they could see their production extended for longer periods to allow more time for consumers in markets such as the U.S. to make the switch. The brand will expand the battery-electric vehicles on its PPE architecture, which will slowly merge with other platforms into a single, unified EV platform across Volkswagen Group.

Q6 E-tron: The electric midsize crossover will debut on the PPE platform, which Audi shares with Porsche, in 2024.

Q4 E-tron: The electric compact crossover, built on the same MEB platform as the VW ID4, joins the lineup in the second half of 2022 as Audi's third EV, following the E-tron and E-tron GT. A sportback version will also come. The Q4 E-tron will be due for a freshening in 2026, given the brand's traditional product cycle.

E-tron: Audi's first BEV went on sale in the U.S. in early 2019, but it had some teething issues, especially with its range. It will be freshened in the first half of 2023 to expand its range and update its styling and driver-assistance offerings.

A6 E-tron: The battery-powered midsize sedan will debut in 2024 and carry on the A6 family nameplate on the PPE platform.

E-tron GT: The E-tron GT, a sportback sedan developed alongside the Porsche Taycan, joined the Audi lineup in the U.S. in 2021. The high-powered BEV will be due for a midcycle freshening in 2025.

Artemis Project EV: Audi plans to expand its electric lineup further in 2026 with a vehicle and platform being co-developed with sibling brand Porsche. It will debut the brand's first Level 4-capable automated driving system, according to top VW Group executives, and is expected to be based on the Grandsphere concept that the brand showed nearly a year ago.

Other PPE-based EVs: Audi will expand its lineup of electric vehicles based on the PPE platform in 2025, but the shape and number of those vehicles has yet to be revealed.

Q9: The Q9, a larger three-row crossover than the Q7, was in development in Ingolstadt, Germany, and might be the last new combustion vehicle Audi adds to the lineup, in 2025. It is designed for both the U.S. and China. U.S. dealers say they've been told it's coming, but the brand hasn't provided confirmation.

Q8/SQ8/RS Q8: The freshened two-row sportback crossover is due to arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2023, when it will get a 12-volt mild-hybrid system to improve fuel economy and driver-assistance and infotainment upgrades.

Q7/SQ7: The redesign of Audi's three-row crossover has slipped to 2025, when it will get a mild-hybrid system and driver-assistance and other safety upgrades, as well as the brand's latest infotainment offerings.

Q5/SQ5: The Q5 family of midsize crossovers is due for a final redesign in 2025, which would take its life cycle to 2033, given the brand's traditional product cadence.

Q3: A redesign of the compact crossover is expected in 2024 and will likely include the addition of a mild-hybrid system.A8/S8: A freshened A8, delayed by COVID-19, arrived this year. The big luxury sedan is expected to get an extended run-out before production ends.

A7/S7/RS 7: Audi's fastback sedan is expected to be freshened in 2025.

A6/S6: A freshened Audi A6 midsize sedan lineup arrives in the U.S. in the second half of 2022, with upgraded driver-assistance technologies as well as improved infotainment offerings, along with styling changes and a mild-hybrid system.

A5/S5/RS 5: The A5 family will be redesigned in 2024 for one last full product cycle and will keep the 12-volt mild-hybrid system it received for the 2021 model year. The redesign is expected to include improved infotainment and Audi's latest digital cockpit as well as added safety and driver-assistance features.

A4/S4/A4 Allroad: As with the A5, the A4 family will be redesigned for one final product cycle, in 2024, adding safety features as well as improved infotainment and user interfaces in the cockpit. Expect the 12-volt mild-hybrid system to stay.

A3/S3/RS 3: The redesigned A3 sedan went on sale in 2021, and it won't be due for a freshening until 2025.

R8: The V-10 supercar won't be V-10-powered for long. Audi is hinting that the R8 name might live on in another high-performance form — one powered by batteries. But the timing for such an electric-powered supercar is unclear. Look for its current run to be extended before the R8 blasts off into the sunset sometime mid-decade.

TT/TTS/TT RS: Brand leaders say they want to extend the two-seat sport coupe in some form, but the current version is expected to live on until production ends mid-decade.