Audi has unveiled an ambitious new model programme to include more Q series SUVs and three e-tron battery-electric cars.
The German premium brand intends that at least 30 per cent of its sales will be of electric or part-electric models by 2025, and to have the technology available for driverless city cars within four years.
Five new lines in one year
The plans have been outlined to Audi shareholders during the brand’s AGM in Neckarsulm, Germany. “We are rejuvenating our model portfolio enormously and will renew five existing core model series by mid-2018,” said chairman Rupert Stadler.
“In addition, we will expand our successful Q family by 2019 with two new concepts – the Audi Q8 and the Audi Q4 – and we will launch our battery-electric e-tron models.” Three new electric Audis will appear by 2020, and the brand will then introduce electric versions across its core model ranges.
Audi is also taking over the development of autonomous car technology across the Volkswagen Group and the first examples of driverless cars will be launched early in the next decade. Meanwhile the new ‘myAudi’ programme will establish a digital platform for online services across the range.
This year the brand will focus on its high-end cars. A new A8 will be launched at the first-ever Audi Summit event in Barcelona in June, and will be followed by a new A7.
