In March 2023, then-Audi boss Markus Duesmann spoke for the first time about a new entry-level electric model, to be placed in the Four Rings range below the entry-level Q4 e-Tron model.
However, after Duesmann's departure in the summer of last year, the project was 'frozen' pending the reorganization desired by CEO Gernot Döllner who took office in Ingolstadt on September 1st.
Now, however, the entry level electric Audi has been opened again, with the aim of bringing this new electric model to the market as soon as possible.
Döllner himself revealed this during an event reserved for staff at the Group's main plant, stating that in Ingolstadt, in addition to the Q6 e-Tron and A6 e-Tron, another battery-powered model will be manufactured, derived from Volkswagen's Meb platform .
The decision was appreciated by Jörg Schlagbauer head of the Audi works council who recalled that "as a works council, we have been fighting for this vehicle for years and have requested it for the Ingolstadt plant. The criteria for a positive decision were clearly formulated from the beginning: economic feasibility and technological competitiveness".
According to what Automobilwoche reports, the new electric model will be placed in the compact segment and will have dimensions similar to the current Audi A3.
And to achieve this, Audi is working on a new body concept that will be adapted - as in the case of the Q4 e-Tron - to the latest generation of Volkswagen's modular Meb platform.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA