Eight new Audi models and eight new RS cars by 2018

Audi is planning a new-model bonanza over the next two years, promising eight new models and eight new RS performance derivatives by the end of next year.

Speaking at the Geneva motor show, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler also committed to filling every gap in the German car-maker's already-comprehensive SUV range, strengthening the prospects of Q1, Q4 and Q6 models, but said Audi's first all-electric vehicle (next year's all-new battery-electric SUV, previewed by the e-tron quattro concept) won't be called the Q6.

In addition, Audi has promised two further EVs by 2020, and Stadler confirmed the first will be a derivative of the e-tron quattro crossover (pictured) and is due to be revealed in concept form later this year. The second will be Audi's first compact EV.

Asked by motoring.com.au if the e-tron quattro will wear a Q6 badge when it's released in 2018, Stadler said: "No. We're still working on the right, let's say, nomenclature, but being honest I would like to feel free in terms of positioning that car because it, like the Ur Quattro 25 years ago, it is something special."

Audi's global chief did not rule out future generations of the pure-electric SUV wearing Q badging, but indicated the production e-tron quattro would come with a name rather than an alpha-numeric badge to better reflect its positioning both in terms of size, price and technology.

"It is our first pure battery-electric vehicle with a range of, let's say, 500km and it needs to be positioned adequately and not pressing let's say a car within a certain range," he said. "It should be a special place because now it is the first one.

"Maybe in the next generations it will properly fit into our standard nomenclature because we see much more battery-electric vehicles in the future."

He said the e-tron quattro, which will be produced in a dedicated new factory in Brussels, was created to be a technology leader for Audi, and to get the jump on its arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, which has committed to producing its 'EQ' electric SUV by 2019, even if Tesla's Model X was the world's first all-electric SUV.

Stadler said the e-tron quattro would be cheaper than Audi's new flagship SUV, previewed by the Q8 concept, and when asked whether the electric luxury SUV will be competitively priced against traditional internal combustion-engined rivals he said: "I would say yes, because we need battery-electric vehicle to comply with CO2 regulations within Europe.. the US and China, so it will not only be a niche – it cannot be a niche.

"It's not based on [government] incentives [for consumers]. The decision-making was based on technology and getting into the lead, because it's not only one car. There will be more in terms of battery-electric vehicles, so it is about the positioning of the brand Audi."

More Audi EVs to come
Pressed further about other future EVs from the German luxury giant, which has promised to deliver three all-electric models by 2020, Stadler confirmed the e-tron quattro will be followed by a second large EV based on the same MLB Evo-derived EV platform, while the second will be a compact model based on the Volkswagen Group's dedicated new MEB EV platform.

"There will be a second [e-tron quattro] derivate, based on that let's say platform structure, which is also pretty nice and sporty. Let's wait and see. We will surprise you hopefully during 2017.

"Then of course our mission is also in the compact segment to have a battery-electric vehicle. Maybe this one does not need 500km range. Maybe we can work with 400, 450.

"There are different packages we can offer and here we are working very closely together with the Volkswagen guys on the MEB platform. But we will have different shape, totally different character."

Stadler stressed that Audi's first EV would ride on a dedicated platform developed from the VW Group's modular longitudinal-engined MLB Evo platform, as seen under the latest A4 and A5.

"First of all it's a different platform because we designed it three years ago. It shares connectivity and other things with MLB but in general it is a new platform or a next generation of technology."

He said that "in terms of battery chemistry we have worked very closely with Porsche", but it's unclear how closely related the platform under the Porsche Mission E electric sedan is.
More Audi SUVs to come

Stadler made it clear Audi intends to fill every SUV niche that remains untapped by the German car-maker, whose SUV line-up ranges from the Q2 to, by next year, the Q8 -- with only Q4 and Q6 models missing in between.

"Believe me, we will fill the gaps. I'm absolutely sure they have to be filled because the customer desire in different, let's say, global regions is somehow so different that you have to be in the marketplace with different derivates, so we are strongly working on that because there is a business potential and we see that with new derivates and products we can reload Audi.

"Of course on one hand it is with technology, on the other with new products, and this is finally what drives growth."

Asked if there was still room for a pint-size Q1-badged city-crossover to slot beneath the newly-launched Q2, Stadler said: "Yes, but I would see the priorities a little bit more upscale.

"Of course we named the Q2 ... to keep, let's say, at least an option. But our job is much more in the direction of Q4 and upwards."

While the Q4 could be a 'coupe' version of next year's new Q3, the lack of a Q6 badge on the e-tron quattro leaves room for a 'coupe' version of the new Q5 due on sale in Australia this year.

Eight new Audis by 2018
Although it's unlikely to reach Australia until 2018, Stadler said Audi's redesigned A8 limousine will be launched this year as the first Audi model to bring Level 3 autonomous driving technology, meaning it can – depending on local legislation -- drive itself for extended periods without driver input.

Audi's head honcho then listed the eight models to be launched by the end of next year – including, in order, the A7, A6, Q3, A1, e-tron quattro and Q8.

"Next year we come with the A8 with Level Three driving functions," he said.

"Then will come the A7, the A6 sedan, the avant, the allroad.

"Then we work on the Q3, then the A1, then it's coming the battery-electric vehicle and the Q8, and this will happen in 2018."

Eight new RS cars by 2018
When he presented the new RS 5 Coupe at Geneva, Audi Sport chief Stephan Winkelmann promised to release eight all-new RS models by the end of 2018.

Stadler confirmed that number includes the upcoming RS 3 sedan, facelifted RS 3 Sportback and RS 5 Coupe, based on the latest A5/S5 Coupe due on sale here next month.

Potentially, therefore, we could also see new RS 4, RS 6, RS 7 and RS Q5 models released by the end of next year.

Innovation, not volume, the key
Despite the RS, SUV and EV model proliferation at Audi, Stadler said his company has prioritised technology over sales volume in its battle with Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

"It is worthwhile to concentrate much more on innovation and how we position the brand than running only for volume and number one, because if you have the right products, if you have the right technology on board, if you have the right brand perception in terms of innovation, prestige vorsprung durch technik, volume will be the result," he said.

"It's not a question of who will win in 2020. It's an ongoing fight year after year. We see at the moment that Mercedes is ramping up, but that doesn't matter. We have to find our way, how we progress with our brand."

What's coming from Audi by 2018:
New A8 limousine (2017)
New A7 Sportback
New A6 sedan, avant and allroad
New Q3
New A1
All-new e-tron quattro-based SUV
All-new Q8 flagship SUV

TBC:
RS 4 sedan/avant
RS 5 Cabriolet/Sportback
RS 6 sedan/avant
RS 7 Sportback
RS Q5
Followed by: S/RS Q2, S/RS Q3, Q4, Q6, SQ8