Latest news with #GernotDöllner
ArabGT
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Audi Electric Sportscar Is Coming to Recharge the Brand's Spirit
Audi is gearing up to make a statement this September with something big—really big. Just before the Munich auto show, the brand will pull the covers off a bold new concept: the Audi Electric Sportscar. It's more than just a futuristic design—it's Audi's next big move in the electric era, and it's heading to production in about two years. After saying goodbye to the TT and R8, many wondered if Audi had quietly stepped away from the world of sports cars. But the answer is a clear and electrified 'no.' This new model, described by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner as 'a highly emotional sports car—not a TT, not an R8, but something in between,' promises to fill that void—and then some. This isn't just about launching another EV. The Audi Electric Sportscar is being shaped as a symbol of what's next for the brand. Döllner even called it 'an identity builder,' and that says it all. Audi knows it needs to spark new excitement, especially after a stretch of delayed rollouts and a lineup that hasn't exactly thrilled fans or customers. So what can we expect? While Audi hasn't shared all the details yet, there's speculation that this new sportscar could share its platform with Porsche's upcoming electric 718. That could mean serious performance credentials, wrapped in Audi's signature design and engineering style. The concept itself will likely push visual boundaries, as most show cars do—but make no mistake: this isn't a pie-in-the-sky prototype. As Döllner put it, 'The car will be built.' More than just a vehicle, the Audi Electric Sportscar represents a fresh direction. It's a promise that Audi's passion for performance, design, and innovation is very much alive—just recharged with electric energy. With the countdown to its reveal underway, all eyes are on what could be Audi's most exciting chapter yet.
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Audi F1 Reveals Huge Title Sponsor Ahead of 2026 Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Audi F1 team announced its partnership with Revolut, a financial technology company based in the U.K. that offers banking services. Audi is preparing for its debut on the Formula 1 grid in 2026 as the team transitions from Sauber into a new race team with the title of the German car manufacturer. A key part of any F1 team's success is the sponsorship money, and as the title sponsor for Audi's debut season, Revolut is set to finance the team's racing success. Revolut is a company that offers money exchange and transfers in England, allowing people to control their finances through accounts. A detail shot of an Audi F1 car after it was announced that Audi will join F1 as an engine supplier from the 2026 season prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of... A detail shot of an Audi F1 car after it was announced that Audi will join F1 as an engine supplier from the 2026 season prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 26, 2022 in Spa, Belgium. More Photo by"Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear ambition: to use the platform as a technologically relevant and economically sustainable investment in the future of the Audi brand," Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport, said in a statement. "We firmly believe in the success of our project, which we are approaching with a realistic attitude and a mindset of continuous improvement. "In Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our ambitions and attitude. Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups together and generate enthusiasm for our products." In an announcement from Audi, it was revealed that the Revolut Business platform will be integrated into the team's financial operations. "This is a monumental partnership for Revolut and the future Audi F1 Team," Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut, added in the statement. "We're accelerating towards 100 million customers, and we'll be bringing them into Formula 1 with unforgettable experiences at a pivotal time for the sport. "As Revolut continues to challenge the status quo in global finance, the future Audi F1 Team is set to do the same in motorsport. "With a shared outlook, global ambition and relentless drive for progress, this partnership will define what's possible in Formula 1." Banking or money management sponsorships are a regular occurrence on the grid. Most teams have a cryptocurrency or digital banking sponsor. While the team starts at a disadvantage as it opens up its facilities, they are working on a power unit for 2026 and will become a works team. For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Audi And Revolut Join Forces To Transform The Future Of F1
Audi Revolut Title Partner Audi As the 2026 FIA Formula One season approaches, a thrilling new partnership is set to accelerate the sport into the future. Audi, the iconic German luxury automaker known for its precision engineering and design, is making its much-anticipated debut as a factory-backed F1 team — and they're bringing a revolutionary new partner along for the ride. Fintech powerhouse Revolut, with over 60 million global users, has signed on as the title sponsor of the future Audi F1 Team. Together, they aim to redefine the Formula 1 experience by fusing cutting-edge technology with premium, fan-first engagement. For the first time, the high-octane world of motorsport will blend seamlessly with digital innovation, giving fans exclusive access and unique experiences throughout the race weekends. Imagine intuitive, frictionless shopping for team merchandise powered by Revolut's sleek payment solutions, alongside behind-the-scenes interactions that tap into a fresh generation of enthusiasts hungry for something beyond the track. Audi's CEO Gernot Döllner captures the spirit best: 'Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups and generate enthusiasm for our products.' For Audi, this leap into Formula 1 is not just about speed—it's a strategic, sustainable investment reflecting their commitment to electrification and cutting-edge technology. The sport's upcoming shift toward hybrid power and sustainable fuels mirrors Audi's own vision for a premium, eco-conscious future. Revolut's CEO Nik Storonsky adds, 'We're accelerating towards 100 million customers, and we'll be bringing them into Formula 1 with unforgettable experiences at a pivotal time for the sport.' This partnership represents more than branding—it's a strategic alliance built on a shared passion for innovation, ambition, and pushing boundaries. With operations spread across Germany, Switzerland, and the UK's legendary Motorsport Valley, the Audi F1 Team is poised to combine world-class engineering with the glamour and thrill of Formula 1's global spectacle. For lifestyle connoisseurs and motorsport fans alike, the 2026 season promises a fresh chapter — where luxury design, digital innovation, and race-day excitement merge into one seamless, exhilarating experience.
Auto Blog
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Audi's Sub-R8 Sports Car Will Arrive Two Years From Its September Reveal
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Audi Is In The Thick Of It Things are not going particularly well for Audi, which has sold less than half as many cars so far this year as arch-rival BMW, and that's after a decline in 2024. A tiny portion of this might be attributed to the fact that Audi had to hold cars in ports earlier this year as it sought to find clarity on tariff impacts. With a deal to minimize how hefty those tariffs will be for the foreseeable future just being signed, the effects of those tariffs on European automakers like Audi won't be as great, but it's not enough for Audi to simply keep surviving. German publication Bild has got the inside track on how Audi CEO Gernot Döllner is weathering the storm. The executive spoke seriously about the 'need to get back on track,' but he also thinks the brand is 'passing through the lowest point.' His optimism seems to stem from a new design era that will begin later this year, and he's now provided more details on what that will aim to do for the brand, including confirming that the concept will be presented at IAA Munich in September, with a production version scheduled to arrive within the next two years. A Sports Car With Emotion Source: AI Generated Image Last month, the CEO said that the first concept under new design boss Massimo Frascella would be revealed this year as a 'bold step' forward that would have realistic tenets, rather than the distantly futuristic concepts we've seen before (ahem, variable-wheelbase Audi skysphere concept). Echoing those comments in his most recent interview, Döllner said the concept will be an 'identity builder,' saying it's known internally as the 'TT Moment 2.0.' That's not just a target but perhaps a premonition. 'I have a gut feeling that we are on the verge of such a TT moment,' indicating that the concept will be such a design masterpiece that buyers won't be able to resist. With less context, his earlier comments appeared to herald the return of the TT itself for a fourth generation, but the CEO elaborated that the new 'highly emotional sports car' will be 'something in between' the beloved R8 supercar and the iconic TT. This could well be a repurposed Porsche 718 EV, but Döllner didn't confirm what sort of powertrain to expect. If it is electric, at least a new R8 may only be electrified. An R8 Also Appears To Be In The Works Source: AI Generated Image Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Earlier this year, unconfirmed reports emerged claiming that a next-gen R8 was in the works. Dated March 10th, the report claimed that a third-generation R8 was almost complete and could arrive in late 2027. That's around the time that the production version of the concept we've been discussing is expected, so take the rumor wth a pinch of salt (two enthusiast cars in quick succession seems a bit hasty for a troubled brand), but if accurate, Audi will repeat its previous supercar formula by knocking on the door of its exotic corporate cousin, Lamborghini, and asking to use its baby supercar as a starting point. As long as the new R8 feels as different to the Temerario as the old one did to the Huracán, we doubt the Italians will mind helping out. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
7NEWS
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Audi says it needs to 'get back on track', and a sports car will help it
Audi's CEO has been candid about the German automaker's performance at the moment, but says a turnaround is imminent. 'I don't want to beat around the bush, we have to get back on track now,' said Gernot Döllner in translated remarks published by German publication BILD. 'We've needed the last two years to clean up.' An unnamed source from within parent company Volkswagen Group's board was even more frank, telling BILD that 'Audi is our crisis case' and calling its current models 'okay – average'. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: Audi TT Mr Döllner has a laundry list of things he wants to do to help burnish the brand's image, including more humour in its advertising and more 'clarity' in its design. Audi is also looking ahead to an 'identity builder' that'll be revealed shortly before this year's Munich motor show in September. It'll be an electric vehicle (EV) but also 'a highly emotional sports car – not a TT, not an R8, but something in between'. Mr Döllner even said, 'I have a gut feeling that we are on the verge of such a TT moment,' referring to the impact of the original TT which entered production in 1998. ABOVE: First-generation Audi TT That suggests not only the introduction of a distinctively styled and sporty vehicle, but also one that could set the design direction for the brand moving forward. September's reveal won't be a mere concept car either, with the Audi boss confirming it will enter production. It'll fill a gaping void in Audi's lineup too, as the TT and R8 have exited production and the brand no longer builds any coupes or convertibles. But a new sports car alone won't fix things at Audi. The company, like others within the VW Group, has had to contend with software delays and issues out of the recently reorganised Cariad division. ABOVE: Audi SQ7 As with brands like Porsche, it's also undertaking large-scale cost-cutting efforts. This includes removing a level of management, slashing the number of committees from 130 to 35, and warning more job cuts will come between now and 2029. As Mr Döllner told the publication: 'Audi must become a different company.' Like other luxury brands from Europe, it has had to contend with a changing climate in both China and the US. In the former, increasingly sophisticated domestic offerings have been luring buyers away from foreign brands, while in the latter tariff uncertainty has upended product plans. ABOVE: Audi E5 Sportback This weekend's announcement of a 15 per cent tariff imposed by the US government on European imports, including cars, does at last provide some clarity. Audi isn't retreating from either market. It's weighing a US plant, like that which BMW and Mercedes-Benz have, but Mr Döllner says it must be profitable. It currently builds vehicles in Mexico for markets like the US, where these are now impacted by tariffs. It's also rolling out a separate brand in China, confusingly called AUDI, which will offer models tailor-made for that market developed in partnership with MG parent company SAIC Motor. This includes the already revealed E5 Sportback. China is by far Audi's largest market, with 649,900 vehicles delivered there in 2024 – 92 per cent of those produced locally. That's more than twice as many vehicles as it delivered in its next largest markets of Germany (198,342) and the US (196,576). Audi recently delayed its transition to being an EV-only brand, with cooling demand for luxury EVs in major markets forcing the move as it has with many other brands. The brand had previously confirmed it would be EV-only outside of China by 2033, but now the goal has been shifted to 2035. After Audi's global deliveries rose 17.4 per cent in 2023 to 1,895,240, they slumped 11.8 per cent in 2024 to 1,671,218. Its EVs also took a 7.8 per cent hit, falling to 164,480 deliveries. ABOVE, clockwise from top left: New-generation A6, Q5, Q3, and A6 e-tron Sales in Europe fell 11.1 per cent, in China by 10.9 per cent, and the US by 14 per cent. In Australia, they fell by 19.5 per cent to 15,333. But Audi has been busily overhauling much of its product portfolio. A new Q3 small SUV enters production this year, following the launch of new-generation A5, Q5 and A6 models, plus new EVs in the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. With a much fresher portfolio, Audi will enter 2026 on a more solid footing. Mr Döllner believes as much, telling BILD: 'I think we're passing the low point.'
