Tag Archives: Audi

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Audi introduces a new naming scheme

Audi has been confusing the public for seven years with its naming scheme, i.e. the numbers on its TFSI, TDI and Quattro models, and now the manufacturer from Ingolstadt, Germany, has decided to change it.

Audi has decided to simplify its offering, starting with the new electric crossover, the Audi Q6 E-Tron. The standard version of this model will be known as the Q6 E-Tron Quattro, and will have four-wheel drive, while the more powerful version is called the SQ6 E-Tron. However, Audi could offer a version with a different battery size, which will be called “Performance”.

The head of Audi’s sales and marketing department for electric vehicles, Florian Hauser, confirmed in an interview with Auto Express that it is no longer necessary to use the numbers, and that the decision to remove them will also apply to diesel and gasoline models. The two-digit designation will be incorporated from the lids and tailgate of models with internal combustion engines, but it is not yet known whether the previous nomenclature will be completely discarded by dropping it from configurators, marketing materials and the like.

Also, former Audi director Markus Duesmann confirmed last year that some models will get new names. From the next generation Audi A4 will become A5 and A6 will become A7. It remains to be seen whether a sedan will arrive as a successor to the outgoing A4 after photos of the Sportback were released.

It is obvious that Audi has decided to separate the electric models (A4 and A6) from the ICE models (A5 and A7) with new designations. Some models will be retired in the meantime, such as the Audi A1 and the Q2 subcompact crossover. At the end of last year, the same fate befell the sports model TT, while the end of March will mean the end of the R8 model.

It should be noted that Audi is seriously considering the Q9 SUV. This could fit into the plans of the German company, which previously announced that it will introduce several new models in the next two years, and the Q9 could be one of them. “Yes, of course. If you look at our volume compared to other brands, you will see that we are not in some segments unlike them,” said Managing Director of Audi Australia Jeff Mannering.

Currently it is not known whether the Q9 will be fully electric or powered by an internal combustion engine, but if we remember that Audi plans to produce only EVs from 2026, electric motors are a closer option.

Source: Audi, Auto Express

News

Volkswagen faces two lawsuits over Felicity Ace sinking

Two years ago, we witnessed a fire on the transport ship Felicity Ace, which was carrying 3,965 vehicles. The fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery in one of the Porsche cars. The ship sank and all the vehicles went to the bottom of the sea, including 1,100 Porsches, 189 Bentleys, while the rest were Volkswagen, Audi and Lamborghini, including electric models. Among the cars were 15 Lamborghini Aventador cars, which Lamborghini stopped producing. Now, two lawsuits have been filed against Volkswagen.

The company Allianz and the operator of the cargo ship Mitsui OSK Lines sued Volkswagen, and the lawsuit was filed more than a year ago, but the development of the situation was stopped due to discussions about another lawsuit in the court in Brunswick, Germany. According to documents related to the original 2023 lawsuit, the two parties accuse Volkswagen Group of withholding information about the risks associated with transporting electrified cars. In addition, the lawsuit filed in the Stuttgart court alleges that VW did not provide the necessary precautions for the safe transport of the car.

In the meantime, an incomplete list of cars that were on the transport ship was published: Audi A5 Convertible (84), Audi A5 Coupe (43), Audi A5 Sportback (147), Audi E-Tron (121), Audi Q3 ( 297), Audi Q3 Sportback (144), Bentley Bentayga (77), Bentley Continental GT (38), Bentley Continental GTC (50), Bentley Flying Spur (25), Lamborghini Aventador (15), Lamborghini Huracan (20), Lamborghini Urus (50), Porsche (23 made in Zuffenhausen, 19 in Leipzig and 126 in Bratislava), Volkswagen Caddy (47), Volkswagen Golf (199), Volkswagen ID.4 (159), Volkswagen T6 (116), Ford Mustang GT (year 2015), Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, BMW 750i (year 2007), Honda Prelude SiR (year 1996), as well as Land Rover Santana (year 1977) built in Spain under license from Land Rover and using Defender parts . When it comes to the value of the ship’s cargo, the estimated value of the destroyed cars is around $155 million.

How both lawsuits will end and whether both sides will be able to come to an agreement remains to be seen.

Source: Bloomberg

News

2025 Audi RS6 Avant GT

The RS6 Avant GT is Audi’s special model inspired by the RS6 GTO concept that premiered four years ago. Only 660 units will be produced and the first deliveries are expected in Q2 2024.

The car is the work of 12 apprentices, who were inspired by the race car used in the 1989 American IMSA GTO racing series, the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. It features carbon fiber components such as a unique hood with exposed details, front fenders with vents that reduce air pressure on the wheel arches and improve brake cooling, a motorsport-inspired double wing, a large diffuser, and side mirror housings. The roof racks were removed to give the car a sporty look.

The special model is decorated with attractive graphics, as well as Arkona white, Nardo gray, Chronos gray metallic, Madeira brown metallic or Mythos black metallic color. It is also equipped with stiffer stabilizers, ceramic brakes and Continental Sport Contact 7 tires that provide better road holding in dry and wet conditions.

Inside, the dark cabin is adorned with seats with massive side bolsters, a honeycomb center console and RS6 GT lettering. There are also seat belts in red, special floor mats and a numbered label on the central console.

Under the hood is a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 630 hp (470 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.3 seconds, 200 m/h (124 mph) in 11.5 seconds with a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph).

When it comes to price, the Audi RS6 Avant GT costs 219,355 euros in Germany.

Source: Audi

Gallery:

2025 Audi RS6 Avant GT