Audi has committed to producing three battery-electric models by 2021, starting with the e-tron SUV next year and the e-tron Sportback in 2019, and they will form the basis of Audi Sport’s first electrified RS models from 2020.
So says Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann, who also told motoring.com.au at the global launch of the new RS 5 Coupe in Andorra last week that the German performance brand’s RS model range will expand from 10 to 16 within the next 36 months, following three world debuts this year.
Winkelmann in March committed to eight new RS models by the end of next year, including the facelifted RS 3 Sportback and sedan, and the R8 Spyder Plus.
Four new RS models by 2018
With the RS 5 now launched in Europe (and on sale in Australia in November), he said “at least” four new RS models would follow by the end of 2018.
With the RS 5 now launched in Europe (and on sale in Australia in November), he said “at least” four new RS models would follow by the end of 2018.
These are widely expected to include a new RS 5 Cabriolet, a new RS 4 sedan and wagon, and the first RS Q5. Other candidates for the high-performance RS treatment could include any of the five new core Audi models due to be launched in Europe by 2018, including the A8, A7, A6, Q3 and A1.
“Today, what we know is that the first shot has to hit the target,” said Winkelmann when asked if Audi Sport would produce all-electric RS models.
“You have to be credible in what you deliver and the customers have to understand the weight, the range, top speed and how long you can hold top speed, acceleration and how many times you can accelerate like this, and the how many metres you can cover in the first 2.5 seconds.
“What we call tomorrow is the period between 2020-2025, where we have to deliver the first electrification. There, we [Audi Sport] will not have all the wishes come true of what we want.”
Winkelmann would not say how Audi Sport would increase the performance of either the five-door e-tron SUV or the e-tron Sportback ‘gran turismo’, both which will be produced in Belgium, based on the same new architecture and powered by a 320kW electric powertrain in standard form.
But he suggested they would build on technologies developed with the company’s electric Formula E race series campaign, and the still-born R8 e-tron prototype based on the previous-generation R8.
No Audi Sport hypercar or R8 EV
Winkelmann ruled out an all-electric version of the new R8, and categorically denied reports an entry-level version will be powered by Audi Sport’s latest 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine.
Winkelmann ruled out an all-electric version of the new R8, and categorically denied reports an entry-level version will be powered by Audi Sport’s latest 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine.
“We have shown the R8 Spyder V10 Plus and we are planning further derivates, but there is no electrification plan,” he said, adding that Audi Sport had no interest in entering Formula 1 or producing a hypercar to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-AMG Project One and Aston Martin Valkyrie.
“We have so much on our plate that all the rest we will think about down the road.”
No electric sports car before 2025
Winkelmann stressed that larger vehicles were better suited to the packing of electric powertrain components, but didn’t rule out an electrified sports car once battery technology had advanced sufficiently via improved energy density.
Winkelmann stressed that larger vehicles were better suited to the packing of electric powertrain components, but didn’t rule out an electrified sports car once battery technology had advanced sufficiently via improved energy density.
“The body styles are important. For me, there are two that are feasible. One is a limousine and the other one is an SUV because of its packaging, roominess, weight, power. There is a higher credibility with these rather than a small coupe which would promise something in which we cannot keep.
“After [20]25, there will be a higher opportunity for the next step. Customers expect one day that a sports car is also a sustainable car, so there will be one day when that will happen.
“It will be important to make them understand what they bought today is different from what they bought yesterday, and the game is starting with what the others are doing.”
Audi Sport to focus on SUVs
Winkelmann made it clear that SUVs were the future for his brand and said Audi Sport would focus on the market’s growth sector.
Winkelmann made it clear that SUVs were the future for his brand and said Audi Sport would focus on the market’s growth sector.
Audi currently offers the Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7 and, soon, the Q4, Q8 and e-tron SUV, but the Audi Sport boss confirmed that his SUV range will expand beyond just the Q3 RS currently.
“One of the things that I am looking into is that when we expand the portfolio that we have to go into more segments that are saleable worldwide, and for sure the SUV will be the shift we need to do,” he said.
“We will do more than one. Today we have one and each and every one has to be a business case and the plan is there to do as many as we can.”
No RS version of every Audi model
Winkelmann ruled out an RS version of every model, such as this year’s all-new A8 limousine, in the interests of maintaining exclusivity.
Winkelmann ruled out an RS version of every model, such as this year’s all-new A8 limousine, in the interests of maintaining exclusivity.
“This is not decided yet, even if it would be nice to do a lot,” he said.
“One of the things we said was to make sure we expand into new segments but also protect the icons, which is the Avants, the R8 and RS 5. For us, exclusivity is just as important as having a full line up so we will not enter into every piece of the picture.”
RS cars to be battery-electric, not hybrid
Winkelmann said Audi’s electrification strategy would focus on battery-electric powertrains rather than hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, the next example of which will be the new A8 with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.
Winkelmann said Audi’s electrification strategy would focus on battery-electric powertrains rather than hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, the next example of which will be the new A8 with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.
The new A8 is also likely to be the next plug-in hybrid Audi to appear, followed by others on the same new MLB evo platform, including the latest A4, A5, Q5 and Q7, and the next A6 and A7.
“Hybridisation is one of the things we are also looking at, but being small – let’s say for me convincing everybody is the right way to go – and at the time being if there is no money rain coming then my first choice would be a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).”
Australians still waiting for second e-tron
Meantime in Australia, where Audi was among the first luxury brands to introduce plug-in hybrid technology with its small A3 Sportback e-tron, customers continue to wait for the Q7 e-tron.
Meantime in Australia, where Audi was among the first luxury brands to introduce plug-in hybrid technology with its small A3 Sportback e-tron, customers continue to wait for the Q7 e-tron.
Originally due on sale here last year, Audi Australia says the plug-in hybrid Q7 will now arrive late this year, following production delays and concerns with market positioning, which is expected to be in line with the high-performance SQ7 ($153,616 plus ORCs).
Audi has sold about 120 A3 e-trons in Australia since August 2015 – well below its initial forecast of 10 sales a month — but is yet to release any further electrified models.
The original Q5 hybrid was not produced in right-hand drive, Audi Australia chose not to import the A6 hybrid and since the A3 e-tron arrived here two years ago its direct rivals have released plug-in hybrid versions of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Volvo XC90.
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