11 hours ago
No End In Sight For Audi ICE Cars After CEO's U-Turn
A few years ago, Audi said it would stop selling gas-powered cars in 2033. At that point, many major automakers had set plans in motion for their own discontinuation of gas models, but many have realized this move was a bit premature. Audi's CEO has now confirmed that the German brand is backtracking on the 2033 decision. Instead, it will keep developing new ICE models for the foreseeable future, with no definite date at which ICE models will cease development.
Gernot Döllner, Audi CEO since 2023, told Autocar that he "had not been the one to communicate the end date" of the brand developing new ICE models; rather, this was a decision taken by previous management. Explaining why he changed the brand's strategy, Dollner said he "believes in flexibility" when it comes to powertrains.
"Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop. We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past."
This will be music to the ears of Audi enthusiasts, especially fans of the brand's high-performance RS division. While models like the RS e-tron are exceptionally quick, they can't match the emotional qualities of an RS6 or RS7 with their V8 power plants.
Döllner made some interesting statements about Audi's Formula 1 team, saying this team would "inspire us to think about road cars of the future."
Asked specifically about the return of the TT sports car and R8 supercar, he said the company was "thinking about everything… we are car guys, let yourself be surprised. There is room for Audi in such fields. We are evaluating different options but it's a little too early to talk about that."
This is not the first time Döllner seemed keen for a TT revival. And, while rumors of a new, all-electric R8 were swirling a few years ago, that came before Dollner's statement that Audi will continue developing gas engines. In light of this, a new gas-powered R8 isn't entirely off the table, but it will likely feature some level of hybridization.
While some enthusiast brands like Jaguar are going all-in on an electric future, we're pleased to see that Audi has been willing to change course.
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