Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed that the brand has reversed its 2021 decision to phase out the production of cars with combustion engines (ICE) by 2033. The German carmaker no longer makes promises and communicates fixed deadlines “in the spirit of flexibility”.
In an interview with the English car magazine Autocar, Döllner emphasised that he “had not been the one to communicate the end date,” as the previous management had made the decision. However, he confirmed that he reversed the decision because he “believes in flexibility”.
“Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop,” he told the British media outlet. “We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past.”
Until recently, Audi had communicated an ambitious internal roadmap to halt ICE development as early as 2024, with no new ICE models after 2026. However, it had already been rumored that Audi and Volkswagen could keep the combustion engine alive beyond 2033.
A new all-electric model roughly the size of the A3 is also planned for 2026, though Audi has no intention of creating an equivalent to Volkswagen Group’s ID 2 or Skoda Epiq entry-level EVs.
Focus on larger vehicles
On the technological front, Döllner emphasized that Audi will spearhead the Volkswagen Group’s development of hardware and software architectures for larger vehicles, from A5-sized cars upwards, including the next-generation Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).
Set to debut around 2027-2028, SSP will enable the Group’s first ‘software-defined vehicles’, incorporating digital innovation at the core of their EV offerings. Audi’s collaboration with US-based EV specialist Rivian, in which Volkswagen has invested, is central to this platform.
New PHEVs
Audi plans to introduce several plug-in hybrids. First up are the Q3 and Q5. The PHEV variant of the Audi Q3, known as the Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid 200 kW, will offer an electric range of up to 119 kilometres, although these figures are still to be confirmed. It is equipped with a 25.7 kWh battery (19.7 kWh net) and can be charged with up to 50 kW DC. The partially electric SUV will officially launch in October, with prices in Germany starting at €49,300. In Belgium, the car can be ordered in the second half of July. Prices aren’t known yet.
The Q5 e-hybrid will hit the road in Europe soon, and Audi will open the order books for the SUV and the Sportback as plug-in hybrids in the coming days. The Audi Q5 SUV e-hybrid quattro and the Audi Q5 Sportback e-hybrid quattro are available with a 220 kW or 270 kW system. The battery in either variant offers 25.9 kWh (net 20.7 kWh) of power. Both PHEVs will have a top speed of 250 kph and an electric range of up to 100 kilometres.
In terms of pricing, Audi announces a starting price in Germany of €63,400 for the 220 kW variant and €71,800 for the 270 kW version. The Sportback will start at €65,900 and €74,300, respectively.
