Audi on offensive with 20-model rollout

AUDI Australia is on the offensive, with more than 20 new models, updates and facelifts on the way as it plans to freshen up its entire range across 2025 – taking the fight to its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

 

In terms of the major updates, Audi will roll out two all-new platforms in Australia with the all-electric Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which was co-developed with Porsche and will underpin future E-Tron models, and Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which the new A5, S5 and Q5 will utilise.

 

Speaking with GoAuto at a media presentation in Sydney, Audi Australia executives outlined the company’s upcoming model plans suggesting the next 12 months will be among its most significant.

 

“We’ve had an interesting year…maybe we haven’t launched quite as many as we’ve launched in some years – that is all about to radically change,” said Audi Australia product planning manager Peter Strudwicke.

 

“We’re going to be launching over 20 new models in 2025 … and we’re launching two new architectures.

 

“So, in my view, it’s probably the most significant time in our history because never have we really launched two new architectures so close together.”

 

The model range will cover all bases, Mr Strudwick explained, with a particular focus on multiple electrified options for customers, ranging from mild-hybrid to full EV, as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) approach.

 

“We’ve got SUVs, we’ve got new types of sedans, we’ve got smaller hatchbacks, but we’ve got different methods of motivation as well,” added Mr Strudwick.

 

“So, we’ve got everything from standard internal combustion engines and diesel engines, through to the different levels of electrification. We’re really catering for a period of really significant change in the industry.”

 

The firm also plans to utilise its Mild Hybrid Plus system on a range of models, which is somewhere in between a typical 48-volt mild-hybrid setup and a closed-loop hybrid system.

 

It still features a 48-volt starter generator but uses two electric motors fed by a 1.76kWh battery, allowing electric-only take-offs and a power boost when driving.

 

“It’s not like a series parallel hybrid, it’s actually got two motors … that can provide additional torque,” explained Audi Australia product manager Matthew Dale.

 

“Mild Hybrid will still stick around, but it’s an evolution of that that will come out in other models, and as that then further evolves, you’ll see more and more models with that technology.”

 

For the first time, the entire Audi lineup will feature advanced safety tech like adaptive cruise assist, right down to the base A1 range.

 

Model onslaught

 

Starting at the bottom of its model line-up, Audi Australia confirmed power will jump from 147kW to 152kW for the A1 40 TFSI in 2025, while fuel use will also drop to 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres (down 0.4L/100km) likely due to the move from a six-speed transmission to more efficient seven-speed unit.

 

An updated Q2 model range is also due in the first half of 2025, but updates are more subtle with changes mostly consisting of infotainment system improvements. It is a similar story for the Q3, which already received safety updates and a Dynamic Black option for 2024.

 

Moving up the range, a new A3, S3 and RS 3 are set to arrive before mid-2025, with updated exterior styling, improved interior inclusions, and more grunt.

 

Product planning executive at Audi Australia Esther Choi remained tight-lipped about specifics but did tell us the A3 range will be better appointed than ever before, and the S3 and RS 3 performance models will both receive major power bumps.

 

The S3 power output will jump to 245kW, up 17kW on the current model, and it will gain a rear torque splitter that was previously only offered in RS 3 models.

 

On the topic of the manic RS 3, it will also receive enhanced dynamics, a steering wheel with satellite control (R8 technology, flowing down), and it recently clocked a record 7:33.12 Nurburgring lap, making it the fastest compact car out – besting the BMW M2.

 

Audi confirmed the all-new Q4 E-Tron is still on track to arrive before the end of the year, but provided no further information following the initial announcement. The good news is, the Q4 E-Tron will score Audi’s latest battery technology, boasting faster charge times and improved range.

 

Major updates come further up the range tree, with the new A5 and S5 models utilising the new PPC architecture, expected before the middle of next year with not much disclosed aside from the fact they will be available in Sportback-style sedan and Avant body shapes.

 

Ms Choi did disclose that the A5 and S5 would be offered with the new Mild Hybrid Plus system, offering an additional 18kW of power to both models. For the S5, this boosts total outputs to 270kW/550Nm, good for a 4.5-second jaunt to 100km/h.

 

Based on images shown, it features a new grill and 2D logos at the front, a new interior design and panoramic sunroof with ‘transparency control’ – all benefits of the new PPC architecture.

 

Audi Australia also plans to bring the new Q5 and SQ5, the first SUVs built atop the PPC architecture, Down Under by the end of 2025 but in the meantime, it has also reintroduced the current generation petrol SQ5 – offering customers the choice of petrol or diesel power once more.

 

“SQ5 is one of our most popular Q5 variants and we find some customers have a preference for one or the other,” said Mr Strudwick.

 

“It is quite a rare opportunity because we are, I think, the only market in the world that offers both engine types as a choice for SQ5.”

 

Whether the incoming 2025 model will be offered in both diesel and petrol is not confirmed.

 

A new entry-level Q7 variant will also be introduced in H1 2025, Audi Australia confirmed, for those wanting a combustion-powered seven-seater. The Q7 45 TFSI will start from $108,815, which is nearly $10k less than the diesel variant that sits above it.

 

On the electric front, Audi is making serious moves with the all new A6 E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron and SQ6 E-Tron models slated for H1 next year. The models are all built on the new PPE architecture and are highly specified.

 

In fact, the A6 Sportback E-Tron set a new aerodynamic record for Audi achieving an ultra-slippery 0.21Cd. For context, the Audi R8 has a coefficient of drag ranging from 0.34 to 0.36Cd depending on the model.

 

Entering the hyper-EV space (alongside Porsche), Audi is updating its E-Tron GT range with even more power. Three variants will be available: E-Tron GT S, E-Tron GT RS, and E-Tron GT RS Performance.

 

In terms of outputs, the base E-Tron GT S produces 500kW, the E-Tron GT RS produces 630kW and the range-topping E-Tron GT RS Performance puts out a staggering 680kW with a four-figure torque number to boot.

 

Performance is, as one would expect, incredibly rapid. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration comes in at 3.4 seconds for the S, 2.8 seconds for the RS and 2.5 seconds for the RS Performance.

 

The base-model E-Tron GT S will have 25kW more power than the current generation E-Tron GT RS, and all three new models will outpace the current RS model’s 3.3-second 0-100km/h time – by a considerable margin.

 

“The thing with Audi Sport is it’s forever evolving in terms of performance,” said Mr Dale.

 

“Now we’ve shown what we can do with RS E-Tron GT, the next Performance has 1000Nm of torque and two and a half seconds to 100 – so it shows where the Audi Sport brand can go in terms of electrification.

 

“What that means for the ICE portfolio, that’s yet to be determined…but what we can say comfortably is that, you know, those performance cars will still be emotional.”