Audi compelled us to say goodbye to the TT on the finish of 2023 and the R8 in early 2024, and whereas coupes aren’t precisely large sellers as of late, killing them off left Audi and not using a sports activities automotive of any kind in its lineup. So is that it? Is Audi achieved with two-door vehicles? Nope, under no circumstances. As a substitute, its coupes are going electrical, with Automotive and Driver reporting that Audi CEO Gernot Döllner informed the German newspaper Bild that we’ll see a brand new electrical sports activities automotive idea in September, simply earlier than the Munich motor present.
So, will the idea be a brand new Audi TT? Or will it’s a brand new R8? In accordance with Döllner, it will not really be both. As a substitute, the brand new electrical sports activities automotive appears like will probably be a little bit of a alternative for each, with Döllner telling Bild will probably be “a extremely emotional sports activities automotive — not a TT, not an R8, however one thing in between.” Contemplating it will not be entrance or mid-engine and can as an alternative be an EV, that is most likely a great factor. Carrying a reputation over would most likely be good for recognition, however on the similar time, it is smart to provide the brand new electrical sports activities automotive an identification of its personal.
Whereas the automotive we see in September will formally be an idea, Döllner confirmed it is headed for manufacturing, saying plainly, “the automotive might be constructed.” Simply do not search for Audi’s electrical sports activities automotive to go on sale instantly. As a substitute, it’ll reportedly start arriving at dealerships in about two years. Odds are, it will at the least share a platform with Porsche’s upcoming electrical alternative for the 718 Boxster and Cayman, a challenge that reportedly is not going so nicely, so the two-year wait could also be essential to work out all of the kinks earlier than prospects get their grubby little paws on it.
TT Second 2.0
Whereas Döllner did not reveal many particulars on the brand new automotive, together with what will probably be known as, Automotive and Driver says it expects the upcoming idea to additionally showcase a brand new design language and inside, together with a number of new tech options. We’ll reportedly see that design language in future Audis, too, so that you’d higher hope you want the brand new look. If not, you are going to dislike just about each new Audi you see over the subsequent decade or so. Perhaps it’ll seem like the 2021 Skysphere idea proven right here, or possibly not, however, personally, I would not complain if it did. This factor seems to be rad as hell.
No matter what the idea really seems to be like, although, Döllner admitted Audi’s struggled in recent times and wishes a “TT Second 2.0” to get again on monitor. He additionally known as the upcoming automotive “an identification builder” and informed Bild, “I do not need to beat across the bush; we’ve got to get again on monitor now.” These are actually the best issues to say, contemplating how exhausting it’s to justify shopping for any Audi apart from possibly the brand new Q6 E-Tron over its rivals. Nonetheless, whether or not or not Audi will really achieve success on the entire “get again on monitor” factor stays to be seen.
Both approach, although, we have a cool new idea with manufacturing intent to sit up for. And for higher or worse, in a bit over a month, we’ll have a a lot better thought of the route Audi’s headed.
