Flagship Audi A9 e-tron on way to fight luxury EVs

Audi is secretly developing a production version of its 2017 Aicon concept – a large battery-powered A8-sized limousine created to square up to the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Set to wear the Audi A9 e-tron nameplate, the new flagship model is being developed within the German car-maker by a dedicated team called Artemis, says Brit mag

Work is said to be well underway on what Audi says will be a "highly efficient electric car" ahead of its launch in early 2024.

When it arrives, the Audi A9 e-tron is tipped to be a technological tour-de-force for not only Audi but the entire Volkswagen Group as it will introduce the car giant's latest battery tech, autonomous driving aids, electric powertrain and 5G connectivity.

Further advances will include new car-to-car communication, augmented reality and over-the-air upgrades.

Developed under the E6 codename according to insiders speaking to Autocar, designers are keen create an overtly sporty sedan or fastback that will borrow lots from the Aicon.

Size-wise, the A9 e-tron will share the same footprint as the current Audi A7, but offer interior space on a par with the large A8.

Once launched, the most advanced Audi ever will donate its tech to all the brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, including Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini, VW and Skoda.

The small team working under the Artemis banner are considered, within the VW Group, as a quasi black-ops organisation that operates without any of usual bureaucratic red tape that dogs other projects.

This, claims the insider, makes them faster and quicker to react to new trends and develop new tech.

Artemis was seen necessary by senior VW bosses to keep pace with the new generation of Chinese start-ups that are developing tech at a rate previously thought impossible by large legacy car-makers.

Artemis has already teamed up with Porsche to develop the J1 architecture that underpins the Taycan and upcoming e-tron GT.

The next platform to be readied by Artemis is said to be the PPE architecture that will be launched under the second-gen Macan SUV in 2022.

As well as the A9 e-tron, Artemis is also working on a supermini replacement for the original A2, plus a production version of the 2019 AI:ME concept, AI:Race sports car and AI:Trail SUV.

Helping to fund Artemis, Audi has already set aside €12 billion ($A19.5b) to develop 20 EVs and 10 plug-in hybrids before the end of 2024.

Leading the crack team of Audi engineers is Alex Hitzinger, who previously worked for Apple's stillborn electric car program and the Red Bull Racing F1 team and led the development of Porsche's Le Mans-winning 919 LMP1 car.

It's hoped Hitzinger will be able to transfer his motorsport experience to developing cars quickly under a high-pressure environment, including projects like the A9 e-tron.