Audi Preparing Its Naming Structure for the Future

Audi is now being candid about the future of its lineup’s naming structure, in an effort to accommodate more upcoming electric e-tron models (yes, that branding will stick around) without being too confusing for the consumer. There will be a lot of renaming and restructuring, starting with the original e-tron, which we now know will be referred to as ‘Q8 e-tron’ going forward. The Q4 e-tron is already available to customers, and a Q6 e-tron is on its way. What does that mean for the rest of the crossovers in the lineup? The plan is for ICE models like Q5 and Q7 to stick with odd-numbered names, while the even-numbered names will be exclusively e-tron models. So in America, theoretically the list will look like this:

Q3

Q4 e-tron

Q5

Q6 e-tron

Q7

Q8 e-tron

Q9 (the supposed name of the current gas Q8’s replacement).

What about the sedans? Same principle applies here, and the changes are more significant. A3 will stick to its current formula, while an A4 e-tron will debut in a few years as a compact electric sedan to contend with the Tesla Model 3. The A4 you know and love will be renamed A5, adopting the current A5 Sportback’s swoopy design formula and continuing on with an Avant wagon option. Then, there will be the A6 e-tron, a car largely previewed by the A6 e-tron concept from a few years ago. The current A6 sedan will be renamed A7, but whether the existing A7 liftback sedan continues on in any form remains to be seen. Finally, the next-generation A8 flagship will become the A8 e-tron, as there will be no ICE version available. The next A8 will be heavily inspired by the Grandsphere concept, and should debut sometime next year.

The future of the e-tron GT/RS e-tron GT remains to be seen, but we have little reason to believe a second generation isn’t in the works.

More on how Audi is preparing to change its model naming structure to accommodate e-trons here.