More Fully-Electric Audi Models Planned, E-Tron Sportback To Debut In 2019

In the build-up to their first fully-electric model, the Audi e-tron, the company has also announced plans to begin product portfolio expansion that focuses on electric drive.

Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi said, “The Audi e-tron is definitely a highlight in the history of our company and the starting signal for our electrification strategy.” 

The next vehicle that is a fully-electric model that Audi will bring from concept to production is the e-tron Sportback, scheduled for 2019.

An electric-powered compact model is also slated for introduction in 2020. This information was mentioned during the launch of the new Audi e-tron. 

Audi will present the Audi e-tron GT Concept, a highly dynamic coupe at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The technology in this vehicle was developed in collaboration with Porsche's Taycan (previously known as the Mission E). Audi says the design and character of the e-tron GT Concept will have their specific design and driving behaviour.

Another joint project of the development departments at Audi and Porsche is the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). It will be the basis for multiple Audi model families with all-electric drive covering the high-volume B through D-segments of the markets and is scheduled to enter the market from end 2021. A major strength of the PPE is that it was developed exclusively for electric drive. This offers advantages with respect to weight distribution, packaging of the systems, and the proportions of the body.

Several Volkswagen Group brands are collaborating on the development of the modular electrification platform (MEB), which serves as the basis for a series of Audi e-models, particularly in the high-volume A-segment. One of these is being developed specifically for the requirements of China, the single most important market.

Audi says by 2025, they will also introduce 12 different Q-models (SUV) that consists of seven fully-electric models and the remaining a mix of plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids. The company also expects sales of fully-electric cars to contribute about one-third of sales in 2025.