Audi: Electric small car is coming after all

The Ingolstadt-based Volkswagen subsidiary Audi has now announced the development of an electrically powered small car in the ideological successor to the former A2 and the current A1, thus at least communicatively taking a turn.

“We will electrify all core segments by 2027. This also includes the A-segment, where we clearly see the need for premium vehicles in the future,” explained Audi's Head of Development Oliver Hoffmann.

Audi's decision not to build a direct successor to the A1 and the small SUV Q2 caused some puzzlement. However, industry experts assume that there will be an Audi derivative of the recently presented VW ID.Life at the IAA in Munich. It will probably take some time until the VW reaches series production, at which point, following Volkswagen nomenclature, it will be called ID.2.

Priority is given to the large model series

At Audi, however, priority is given to the larger model series. According to Hoffmann, the demand for the Q4 e-tron and e-tron GT remains high. On the PPE platform – the Premium Platform Electric, which was developed in collaboration with Porsche – the E-SUV Q6 e-tron and the Audi A6 e-tron sedan will go into production starting in 2023. The A6 Avant e-tron will follow in 2024. Audi is particularly proud of the electric wagon.

During the annual press conference, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann unveiled the electric wagon and emphasized: "The Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept (Photo gallery here) shows how dynamic and elegant the electrically powered upper class at Audi will look. With the later production model, we are expanding our electric model portfolio in a segment that is crucial for us."