The transition to electric vehicles brings with it many changes in the industry, but also in our landscape and our daily lives. The manufacturers adjust their strategies accordingly and this includes in particular the names of their models.
A few days ago, Audi boss Markus Duesmann confirmed to German media that the nomenclature of the series will soon be revised to create a distinction between combustion vehicles and those with batteries.
“We are expanding our product range with new electric models and will therefore restructure our names,” he said.
The brand’s conventional passenger cars continue to start with the letter “A” and Sport Utility Vehicles with the letter “Q”. The following number now shows whether it is a petrol (odd) or electric (even) model.
Photo: Tobias Sagmeister
The work has already started because, recall, the electric crossover e-tron has just been renamed the Q8 e-tron (above). This means that the regular Q8 will soon join the Q7 designation – unless Audi decides to create a “Q9”.
Another example: In the next generation of the A4 sedan, which is to offer both engines, the petrol engine can be called the A5 (like the current coupé) and the electric type can simply be the new A4 or A4 e-tron.
By the way, what will happen to the suffix “e-tron”? In such a scenario, its use would be redundant. For the time being, however, Audi does not indicate whether and when the abolition is intended. One may also wonder how the current e-tron GT will be renamed.
Photo: Antony Lajoie-Beadoin
Certainly there will be confusion among consumers for a period of time, but Audi prefers to move forward in this way. And she is not alone.
German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also reportedly considering changing their model names. According to these rumors, after getting used to the letters “EQ”, the second wants to get rid of in the near future.