Audi’s Revamped Model Lineup: Sense and Simplicity Reign Supreme
Audi Drops Confusing Naming System, Goes Back to the Basics
Do you remember when Audi decided to ditch engine displacement badges and adopt arbitrary numbers for its cars? Then, they introduced a new naming system that used odd numbers for combustion cars and even numbers for EVs. But, as you know, change is the only constant in the automotive world. Audi is now scrapping that system and going back to a more traditional approach. Confused? Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you.
Simplified and Familiar Names
Under the new system, Audi will use a combination of letters and numbers to indicate a car’s body style and size. For example, "A" will signify a sedan, while "Q" will be an SUV. A4 will be a smaller sedan, while A6 will be a midsize sedan. To differentiate between electric and non-electric models, Audi will use "e-tron" badges for EVs, "TFSI" for gasoline-powered cars, and "TDI" for diesels.
Why the Change?
According to Audi, this decision is a result of customer and dealer feedback. Marco Schubert, a member of the board of management for sales and marketing at Audi, said, "Our nomenclature now provides all customers worldwide with an intuitive orientation in our portfolio. We choose the names of our models in a way that reveals size and positioning at first glance."
First Car to Sport the New Naming System
The first model to adopt this new naming system will be the Audi A6, which was previously going to be called the A6 e-tron and would come with a gas-powered sibling called the A7. However, under the new system, both models will be called A6, distinguished by their powertrain badges: A6 TFSI, A6 e-tron, and A6 TDI.
Not Retroactive
Unfortunately, this new system won’t be applied retroactively, so existing models like the A4 and A5 will continue to have separate names despite being electric and gas-powered versions of the same car.
A Good Decision?
We applaud Audi for recognizing a mistake and making the right move to simplify its naming system. Corporations often struggle to adapt to change, but Audi listened to its customers and dealers and took action. Kudos to the brand for putting the needs of its audience first!
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Figure 1: Audi A6 e-tron
