Audi A6 Avant e-tron

EV-only models also feature internal combustion engines

In 2024, Audi introduced a naming policy in which odd numbers represent vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines and even numbers represent vehicles equipped with fully electric powertrains. In July, the company held the world premiere of the A5 Sedan and A5 Avant, successors to the A4 series, which are equipped with internal combustion engines, and in August, it announced the A6 Sportback e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron as EV-only models.

However, in response to the shrinking global demand for EVs, Audi has decided to make a major change to its naming policy. From now on, Audi model names will consist of one or more letters and numbers. As before, the letter “A” will be used for low-profile passenger cars and “Q” for SUVs, but the numbers (currently 1 to 8) will not depend on the type of powertrain. In other words, the distinction between odd and even numbers for installed powertrains will be abolished.

All EV models will be sold under the same letter and number combination as their internal combustion engine counterparts, with model and variant differentiation being achieved through body style (Avant, Sedan, Sportback) and powertrain code (e-tron, TFSI e, TFSI, TDI).

The first model to adopt this new name will be the A6 equipped with an internal combustion engine. The A6 e-tron, which has previously been sold as an EV-only model, will have its world premiere on March 4th as the new A6 TFSI equipped with a gasoline engine. However, the names of models already on sale will not be changed.

Marco Schubert, Audi AG’s Board Member for Sales and Marketing, explained the change in policy as follows:

“This decision is the result of intensive discussions and follows customer preferences and feedback from our international dealers. The new name will provide an intuitive orientation for all our customers around the world. We chose a model name that conveys the size and positioning at a glance.”

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