Wait, what? Audi backtracks on its confusing naming strategy
Honestly, no car manufacturer has ever confused us as much as Audi has with its vehicle naming strategy. Last year, Audi introduced a strategy that sounded straightforward at first: even-numbered models would become electric with the e-Tron platform, while odd-numbered ones would stick to combustion engines.
Simple, right? Not really. This meant the A4, A6, and A8 would become EVs, while the A3, A5, and A7 would remain ICE-powered. But before we could even wrap our heads around that, Audi is changing things again.
Audi has announced that it’s ditching the entire plan following backlash from customers and dealerships worldwide. In other words, it’s going back to what it’s always done. EVs will continue carrying the e-Tron badge, while ICE-powered models will stick with TFSI for petrol, TDI for diesel, and TFSI e for plug-in hybrids.
For example, just like before, there will be an A4 TDI/TFSI and an A4 e-Tron or an A6 TFSI/TDI to differentiate it from the A6 e-Tron. This makes us wonder: Why did they even try to change it? Audi says that the next-generation A6, set to be revealed in March, will be the first model to return to this familiar naming system, signalling the end of its short-lived (and very confusing) experiment.
What continues to confuse us even more is Audi’s power identification system; those double-digit numbers like 40, 55, or 35 remain unchanged, and, honestly, they continue to stump us. You’d think they refer to engine capacity, right?
Like, an A3 40 TFSI must have a 4.0-litre engine? Nope. Not even close. And that’s exactly why so many people get it wrong. It’s a system that feels unnecessarily complicated, leaving buyers scratching their heads instead of easily understanding what they’re getting. Come on, Audi.
