Audi e-tron SUV coupe, saloon and GT sports car next to appear

Two more models to join e-tron before 2020, and 12 in total by 2025.

The full court press on electrification for Audi has begun, and it’s not slowing down any time soon.

Hot on the heels of the Audi e-tron launched in much fanfare this week, two more EVs will be built off the same bones before the end of 2020, while another nine will be in play mid-way through next decade.

As well, Audi announced it will preview the e-tron GT concept later this year at the Los Angeles motor show. Developed in conjunction with Porsche, it’s expected the GT will be underpinned by another new electric platform when it goes on sale before the end of 2020.

The e-tron Sportback will join its more traditional SUV sibling in 2019, joining the ranks of the coupe-slash SUV ranks already populated by the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace.

It will also be built on top of the Volkswagen Group’s MLB EVO platform, which has been tweaked from its usage under cars like the Audi A4 and Q5 to enable it to handle EV components like battery arrays and an electric motor at each end of the car.

A third model is also expected to be built on top of the MLB EVO’s bones, and is likely to take the form of a large A8-sized sedan – although sources within the company are suggesting that it won’t be a range-topping luxury variant.

The MLB EVO is designed for what are called ‘high-floor’ applications, like SUVs and crossovers. ‘Flat-floor’ cars will be based on the joint Audi/Porsche PPE (Premium Platform Electric) framework, which is now ready to be used for cars covering all bases from compact hatches to large sedans, across three model families.

This suggests that the A3, A4 and A8 are the most likely candidates for e-tron additions. However, PPE is flexible enough to be used for both passenger and SUV applications, according to Audi.

“Typically inside Audi we use a platform for seven to 10 years and then we develop a new set-up,” said Audi’s COO of Technical Operations, Ulrich Widmann.

“If you look at all technology after several years, you have to renew it. And so this is now MLB EVO, which is new, and for the 2022 era, we are developing a new premium platform electric (PPE), which will then give us next step of technology for the next century then. This is developed together with Porsche, and the first cars you will see in 2021 to 2022.”

Smaller electric cars will come from the VW Group’s MEB (modular electric platform) architecture, which was previewed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

The MEB will underpin A-segment cars like the A1 and smaller Q cars, as well as other cars across the group’s portfolio including VW’s forthcoming I.D. range. A unique version of MEB will also be built for China, where Audi is expecting to do big business in one of the most regulated emissions environs on the planet.

It’s worth noting, too, that Audi is likely to use e-tron as a suffix to a model name going forward ie A3 e-tron.

If you think that means Audi is abandoning the combustion, don’t worry. Two thirds of the company’s cars will still be fossil fuel-powered in 2025, though the majority will be equipped with a mild hybrid system.

Timeline (known)

2019 – Audi e-tron, e-tron Sportback
2020 – Audi e-tron GT, Audi A8 EV

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