Audi’s all-encompassing electrical future
Audi goals to have a pure-EV in each “core section” from 2027. In order that’s the indomitable Q5, Q3 and A4 going electrical, then, however what in regards to the far-from-core R8 and TT sports activities automobiles? We requested technical growth boss Oliver Hoffmann if the two-seaters will get a battery-powered reprieve now that they’re coming into their last few months on sale.
“The long run shall be totally electrical,” he mentioned. “We intend to provide you with some surprises once more and we’re engaged on sports activities automotive ideas that may most likely be totally electrical. All I can say is we’ll shock and thrill you.”
Given the brand new Audi-Porsche PPE platform will get rear- and all-wheel-drive drivetrains and place an emphasis on dynamics, it appears an apparent foundation for EV variations of every.
Agency rivalry
It’s straightforward to misconstrue inter-manufacturer rivalries as animosity, however away from the gross sales charts and one-upmanship, trade bosses can study quite a bit from one another.
Take Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares (above left), who not too long ago advised reporters he has “not solely a deep respect for [Volkswagen Group CEO] Herbert Diess, I feel he’s an inspiring chief, and hats off for what he’s making an attempt to realize”.
Tavares mentioned his 14-brand firm makes use of Volkswagen as a “benchmark for a lot of issues” and says “time will inform us who has been in a position to execute his technique”.