Chances are a 48V mild-hybrid setup will be standard across the range, joined by at least one plug-in hybrid variant with a decent EV range. Auto Bild has it on good authority Audi will drop the six-cylinder engines, with the exception of the RS4 believed to keep its V6. But even the performance wagon will have an electric motor, which should enable a combined output of around 500 horsepower.

Instead of the 3.0-liter diesel available today, the Audi A4 (B10) is said to get a hybrid four-cylinder pushing out as much as 350 hp. The diesel-fueled S4 is on its way to retirement, while a fully electric model is apparently not on the agenda. Archrivals Mercedes and BMW are working on EVs, with a zero-emission C-Class coming by 2025 while an i3 Sedan will be launched this year in China.

Although an all-electric A4 has reportedly been ruled out, there might be a good reason for that. A smaller EV to slot below the E-Tron GT is said to be in the works. It’s the first time we’re hearing about such a potential addition to Audi’s E-Tron family, which Auto Bild claims will arrive as early as next year. Perhaps the model in question is a production version of the A6 E-Tron, a concept introduced last year on the PPE platform co-developed with Porsche.

The A6 E-Tron is rumored to go on sale in China next year with 83- and 100-kWh batteries according to local reports. Featuring all-wheel drive, the electric Sportback could have a pair of electric motors good for a sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 seconds. The base model will rely on a sole motor and two-wheel drive for a sprint in 7.6s.

As a final note, Audi will introduce its final new car equipped with combustion engines in 2025. From 2026, all vehicle debuts will be EVs, prior to 2033 when production of vehicles with ICEs will come to an end. However, the Four Rings have stated it could still make gasoline-powered vehicles beyond that date in China, depending on local demand.

Source: Auto Bild

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It looks as though the smaller A4 could get a zero-emissions version to sit alongside the conventional gasoline- and diesel-fueled model. Speaking with British magazine Auto Express, Audi’s head of technical development, Oliver Hoffman, was asked whether an A4 E-Tron is possible during the next generation of the vehicle’s life cycle. While he didn’t say yes, his statement is a strong hint that it could happen:

“We are really happy to have a strong partnership within the Group – with Porsche for PPE [platform], with VW for MEB [platform], and our own platform, the MLB. We have the power to develop and produce dedicated platforms for most technologies.”

Reading between the lines, an A4 EV seems like a good possibility, but Hoffman cautioned Audi has already looked into a platform that can accommodate both types of powertrains and found it to be a “compromise.” The architecture in question is likely MLB, which was originally conceived for cars with combustion engines before being adapted for electric models like the E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback large SUVs.

Should an electric A4 receive the proverbial stamp of approval, it can only mean it will ride on the PPE platform. The first production models to use the new underpinnings will premiere next year when Porsche will debut the next-generation Macan (EV-only) while Audi will come out with its equivalent vehicle, the Q6 E-Tron. The aforementioned A6 E-Tron will also ride on the PPE platform, but it will arrive later this decade.

Auto Express speculates that even if Audi green-lights the A4 EV, it’s unlikely to arrive at the same time as the conventionally powered model, which is earmarked for a 2023 release. A more feasible scenario is the latter half of the decade, although that might be a bit too late since BMW is already putting the finishing touches on a 3 Series EV. At the same time, Mercedes has confirmed it will eventually launch an electric equivalent of the C-Class.

Source: Auto Express

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Speaking with German monthly business magazine Manager Magazin, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann said the A4 and A6 will switch to pure electric powertrains after the next generation. The current models are scheduled to be replaced in 2023 and will soldier on with traditional powertrains. Given the typical seven-year life cycle of a product, it effectively means the A4 and A6 will become EVs by the end of the decade.

Interestingly, Duesmann also said he doesn’t see a bright future up ahead for plug-in hybrids either as Audi is primarily focusing on all-electric cars. In addition, he believes customers will gradually lose interest in PHEVs in the years to come, especially since there will be a lot more EVs to choose from by 2030.

Audi has kicked off its EV efforts into high gear and will unveil the production version of its highly anticipated E-Tron GT sedan on February 9. The Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback are also coming later in 2021 as zero-emissions SUVs riding on the MEB platform shared with the Volkswagen ID.4. At the same time, the Four Rings are working with Porsche to develop the PPE platform that will underpin a variety of medium to large EVs due to arrive later this decade.

The biggest undertaking in terms of electrification is Project Artemis, which sees automotive and technology experts from the VW Group working together to speed up EV development for all brands of the German conglomerate. Audi is the development leader and the first order of business is to introduce a “highly efficient electric car” by 2024. A concept car is coming as early as September this year at the 2021 Frankfurt Motor Show, provided the event takes place considering the coronavirus pandemic is still causing disruptions.

Source: Manager Magazin via t3n

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