In response to previous rumors that Audi is planning to reform the model naming rules, Audi brand CEO Markus Duesmann confirmed the news in an interview with German media, saying that Audi will use odd numbers for fuel and plug-in hybrid naming and even numbers for pure electric models in the future.
Markus Duthmann said the shift started last year with a mid-cycle refresh of the E-Tron and its rebranding as the Q8 E-Tron. That means the current petrol version of the Q8 SUV could be renamed the Q9 after a mid-cycle refresh later this year. At the same time, he also confirmed that the new Audi A4 will be renamed Audi A5 and the new Audi A6 will be renamed Audi A7. However, Duesmann declined to say how the existing Audi A5 and Audi A7 coupes will be named in the future.
Eventually, with Audi expected to sell only pure electric vehicles around 2033, its EVs will also use odd numbers in their names. Audi has confirmed that its last car with an internal combustion engine will be launched in 2026.
Unlike Mercedes-Benz’s plan to abandon the EQ brand, Dusman made it clear that Audi would not abandon the suffix name of E-Tron.
Markus Duesmann said that Audi plans to launch no less than 20 new models in the next two years, half of which will be pure electric models. Duesmann also confirmed Audi’s plans to launch an EV positioned below the current Q4 E-Tron, though it’s unclear whether he’s referring to the A4 E-Tron or the smaller A2 E-Tron.
