During Audi’s recent annual media conference, a wealth of financial information was disclosed, along with some subtle indications of its forthcoming direction. It is an open secret that Audi has been taking huge strides in the electric vehicle (EV) realm. However, CEO Markus Duesmann has put emphasis on this point by stipulating that the German automaker was teetering on the edge of an immense product undertaking, the likes of which had never been seen in its extensive and noteworthy history.
While this statement alone is quite bold, Duesmann provided tangible evidence by revealing that Audi “will have launched around 20 new models” by the end of 2025. A probing perusal of our calendar serves as a stark reminder that 2025 is a mere two years away, and this rapid pace of innovation seems almost unimaginable. Adding to the intrigue, Duesmann further intimated that over half of these novel models would be EVs, a clear indication of Audi’s commitment to pioneering the future of mobility.
The integrity of whether the recently announced models encompass mid-cycle facelifts is somewhat obscure. Nonetheless, this insistent schedule aptly positions the automaker on a trajectory to furnish an electrified vehicle in every one of its car classes by 2027. The conclusion of this visionary plan envisages Audi transforming into an all-electric manufacturer early in the approaching decade.
In keeping with this electrifying agenda, Duesmann used the media conference as a platform to entice attendees with a sneak peek of a new model – an entry-level EV that will fit snugly beneath the Q4 E-Tron in Audi’s burgeoning portfolio. The CEO was characteristically silent about details, but according to Autocar, it will likely be an A-segment hatchback sharing similarities with the A3. As for the exact timeline for this groundbreaking launch, it remains a mystery, but logical deduction points to a timeframe of around 18 months in conjunction with Audi’s bold blitz of 20 new models.
As a legacy automaker, Audi was among the earliest and most trailblazing pioneers to venture into the uncharted territory of electric vehicles with its flagship E-Tron SUV, a watershed moment in 2019. Since then, there has been a consistent and steady influx of fully electric and hybrid models, making Audi’s commitment to EVs clear. It is not to mention the panoply of fascinating sphere concept vehicles, the first of which was the breathtaking Skysphere concept roadster, which debuted with a resounding boom in 2021.
Following in the Skysphere’s wake, the Grandsphere concept sedan made a highly anticipated appearance a few months later, followed closely by the news that the next-gen A8 flagship would extensively borrow its aesthetics. To top it all off, Audi unveiled the final two enthralling sphere concepts, the Urbansphere and Activesphere, which took the form of a minivan and coupe crossover, respectively. Despite not being production vehicles, Audi’s spokespersons have been vocal in asserting that these sphere concepts offer an exciting and tantalizing glimpse into the company’s futuristic design language.
Source and Images: Motor1