Audi Naming Structure Change To Make Lineup Easier To Understand

Audi
had a rough go of things here in the United States last year. Down some 14% overall in sales for 2024 compared to 2023, the German automaker boasted some especially sharp declines across offerings like the

Q8 e-tron
. However, Audi seems to think that there’s a comprehension issue regarding EVs like the

e-tron GT
. In an effort to make its lineup easier to understand, the Four Rings has announced another revised naming structure.

Audi

Divisions

Audi Sport GmbH

Founded

1909

Founder

August Horch

Headquarters

Ingolstadt, Germany

Current CEO

Markus Duesmann

Status

Active

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New Naming Strategy To Make More Sense

Audi

Back in 2023, Audi announced a naming change that was intended to help distinguish its electric and ICE cars. Even numbers were to represent EVs, while odd numbers would signify « premium platform combustion » — Audi’s automaker codename for gas-powered options. Though it sounded fairly intuitive on paper, things became much more complicated once you started to take into account existing models. Cars like the

Audi A4
and the Audi A6 were to (confusingly) be subsequently known as the Audi A5 and the

Audi A7
— even though those were already distinct offerings. Per Audi’s new plan, however:

« Going forward, the global alphanumeric model name will consist of one or more letters and a number. The letters A and Q continue to signify the distinction between low-floor and high-floor vehicles. The numbers – currently from one to eight – enable a clear classification independent of the type of powertrain. As a result, the previous distinction between different drivetrain technologies according to even and odd model numbers no longer applies. »

In other words, the A and Q lines will stay as they are, and Audi will order cars from one to eight in ascending size as it has throughout its history. Rather than trying to demarcate gas and ICE offerings by way of numerical patterns, each model will instead receive a powertrain code suffix like TFSI, e-tron, or TDI. Logically, then, Sedans,

Avants
, and

Sportbacks
will be named accordingly. If we didn’t also have to factor in double-digit numerical naming conventions, like the 40 and 45 TFSI, we’d say Audi was safely in the clear. However, it’ll take a few releases for the automaker to iron out some of this customer confusion.

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Audi’s Waffling Speaks To Industry EV Adoption

Audi

Audi’s confusing naming strategy is a pretty minor problem in the grand scheme of things, but it does speak to some of the challenges that come with going electric — chief among them being implementation. Ever since manufacturers started announcing ambitious electrification targets, the industry has been kept in a state of constant flux. Subject to everything from

supply chain shortages
to changing consumer demand, we’ve seen

models delayed
, strategies revised, and any number of electric startups killed.

Audi E-Tron GT Ignites On Lift Following Battery Recall Troubles

After multiple battery recalls, this Audi E-Tron GT went up in flames while on a dealership lift, raising concerns about ongoing EV safety issues.

Moreover, just as the industry seems to be getting to grips with its electric future, political pressures threaten to reverse course. Between the

nullification of EV incentives
and the addition of

Stateside tariffs
, many automakers are scrambling to find the best way forward. Given the current state of things, Audi’s decision to make its model names more uniform seems to be for the best.

Internal combustion isn’t going anywhere anytime soon
, and there’s no telling what will become of future electrification initiatives.