Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler has confirmed the
company will launch at least four models by the middle of next year. During the
company's interim financial report, Stadler said “By the middle of 2018, we
will present new generations of four more core model series. In addition, we
will expand our product offering in the top segments next year with the Audi Q8
and the fully electric Audi e-tron."
The company was tight-lipped on specifics but
confirmed the A6 and A7 Sportback will be launched early next year. The other
two models remain unconfirmed but previous reports have suggested they could be
the new A1 and Q3.
Stadler went on to reconfirm plans to launch the
e-tron in 2018 and the e-tron Sportback in 2019. However, he also revealed the
company will offer a "premium electric car in the compact segment"
beginning in 2020. Little is known about the model but it could potentially be
a Tesla Model 3 competitor.
Besides talking about the new models, Stadler
confirmed the A8's Level 3 autonomous driving system will be activated early
next year. As he explained, "As soon as the legal framework permits it, we
will gradually bring the new piloted driving functions into series production
beginning in 2018."
