As Audi EV lineup grows, swan song for ICEs

Audi is accelerating a transition to an all-electric roster with the expansion of its E-tron lineup while beginning a long-term phaseout of its current gasoline-powered vehicles in its U.S. portfolio.

The brand announced this year that it would stop selling internal combustion engine vehicles in 2033 and that it would end development of new gasoline engines in 2026. That leaves less than one full product cycle for its existing lineup of sedans, sport coupes and crossovers, with the Q5 looking like it will be the brand's last ICE-powered vehicle to undergo a redesign, in 2025.

Until that time, the brand will refresh much of its existing gasoline-powered lineup, and those vehicles may get a short extension beyond the brand's traditional eight-year product cycle as more electric models come online. Meanwhile, the brand will expand the battery-electric vehicles on its PPE electric platform, which will slowly merge into a single, unified EV platform across Volkswagen Group.

A3/S3/RS 3: The redesigned A3 sedan, delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak and related production shutdowns, goes on sale late this year in the U.S. The wheelbase is unchanged, but the car is slightly longer, wider and taller than the current model, and driver headroom is improved. The cockpit has been completely redesigned.

A4/S4/A4 Allroad: The A4 family will be redesigned for one final product cycle in 2023, adding safety features as well as improved infotainment and user interfaces in the cockpit, similar to the A3. Expect the 12-volt mild-hybrid system to stay.

A5/S5/RS 5: Like the A4, the A5 family will be redesigned in 2023 for one last full product cycle and will keep the 12-volt mild-hybrid system it received for the 2021 model year. The redesign is expected to include improved infotainment and Audi's latest digital cockpit, as well as added safety and driver-assistance features.

A6/S6: A freshened Audi A6 midsize sedan lineup is due to arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2022, with upgraded driver-assistance technologies as well as improved infotainment offerings, along with styling changes. A mild-hybrid system is also expected.

A7/S7/RS 7: Like the A6, Audi's fastback sedan is expected to be freshened in the second half of 2022.

Look for the addition of a mild-hybrid system as well as improved driver-assistance and infotainment offerings to go along with tweaked styling.

A8/S8: A freshened A8 sedan, delayed by COVID-19, is due to arrive in the U.S. in the first half of 2022.

The flagship sedan will add a mild-hybrid system to improve power and fuel economy, and it will be updated with the latest infotainment system. Driver-assistance systems will also improve.

TT/TTS/TT RS: The two-seat sport coupe and its derivatives would be due for a redesign in 2024, but that redesign is likely to mean an end to its current gasoline-powered engine.

If the TT name lives on, it's likely to be as a high-performance electric roadster, but there's no indication yet that Audi has greenlighted a transition.

R8: Like the TT, the V-10 supercar won't be V-10-powered for long. Audi is hinting that the R8 name might live on in another high-performance form — one powered by batteries. If it does, an R8 BEV would be expected in 2024.

Q3: A freshening of the compact crossover is on track to arrive in the U.S. in 2023 and will likely include the addition of a mild-hybrid system.

Q5/SQ5: The Q5 family of top-selling midsize crossovers was freshened in 2020 and would be due for a final redesign in 2025, given the brand's traditional product cadence.

Q7/SQ7: Audi's three-row crossover will be due for a final redesign in 2024, when it will get a mild-hybrid system, driver-assistance and other safety upgrades, as well as the brand's latest infotainment offerings.

Q8/SQ8/RS Q8: The two-row sportback crossover's refresh slipped into 2023, when it will get a 12-volt mild-hybrid system to improve fuel economy, and driver-assistance and infotainment upgrades.

A6 E-tron: A battery-powered midsize sedan will debut in 2024 and carry on the A6 family nameplate on the PPE platform Audi shares with Porsche.

E-tron: Audi's first BEV went on sale in the U.S. in early 2019, and its limited range disappointed. A freshen was moved up to the second half of 2022 to expand its range and update its styling and driver-assistance offerings.

Q4 E-tron: The full-electric compact crossover joins the lineup this year as the brand's third EV, following the E-tron and E-tron GT.

Built on Volkswagen Group's modular MEB platform, it offers greater range than the E-tron and will get an available sportback version. The Q4 E-tron would be due for a midcycle freshening in 2025, if Audi follows its traditional product cycle.

Q6 E-tron: A midsize BEV crossover that will slot above the Q4 E-tron will debut on Audi's PPE platform in 2023.

E-tron GT: The E-tron GT, a battery-electric sportback sedan developed alongside the Porsche Taycan, joined the Audi lineup in the U.S. this year. The stylish, high-powered BEV would be due for a midcycle freshen in 2025.

Artemis Project EV: Audi plans to expand its battery-electric lineup further in 2026 with a vehicle and platform being co-developed with sibling brand Porsche. It will debut the brand's first Level 4-capable automated driving system, according to top Volkswagen Group executives.

Other PPE-based EVs: Audi will expand its lineup of electric vehicles based on the PPE platform in 2025, but the shape and number of those vehicles has yet to be revealed.