The Audi e-tron
represents the start of an electrification offensive (e-offensive) for the
brand with the four rings, as it plans to launch 20 new models by 2025, with 12
of them featuring all-electric powertrains.
According to the
German automaker, four different platforms will be at its disposal in its
multi-model introduction. The first is a heavily-developed version of the MLB
Evo, which has been expanded with numerous electronic components (electric
motors, floor-mounted modular battery system, e-drive controllers, etc.) and is
currently being used for the e-tron and the e-tron Sportback, with the latter
slated to arrive in 2019.
The next platform
is more performance-focused and will be featured on the e-tron GT concept,
which will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year. During
a talk presented at Audi’s Tech Park event prior to the e-tron’s unveiling,
Peter Martens, board member for technical development at Audi AG stated the
show car is the work of the company’s Audi Sport division.
He added that the
e-tron GT will be underpinned by the platform used for the upcoming Porsche
Taycan, which employs a bespoke architecture codenamed ‘J1’. At the time, we
were also treated to a teaser sketch of the concept that shows a rather
sleek-looking vehicle.
For vehicles in the
A segment, Audi will develop cars based on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive
matrix platform (MEB). Details of potential models are scarce for now, and
we’ll only get out first indication on what’s in store in the compact segment
next year.
Lastly, there’s the
Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture for vehicles covering the
high-volume B through D segments of the market. Developed with Porsche, this
platform will be applied on SUV and classic body styles (sedans, Avant models,
etc.); it was also developed exclusively for electric drive in mind. Audi
expects the first few vehicles riding on the PPE to arrive by the end of 2021
or early 2022.
Despite its
e-offensive, Audi states that it expects two thirds of the vehicles it sells to
feature an internal combustion engine (ICE), albeit with some form of hybrid
technology (mild, full or plug-in). It adds that there will be a push for SUV
models given its take on current market trends, with 12 of the 20 models touted
being parked under its ‘Q’ SUV range – seven full EVs while the remainder is a
mix of different hybrids and conventional ICEs.
The company also
adds that vehicles with all-electric powertrains will go on sale in the most
important markets worldwide first. This includes China, which it considers a
crucial market that warrants market-specific models to be introduced.
