Casting a Wider Net: Audi's EV Push Won't Ignore the Entry-level Crowd

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Audi plans to make a green new deal with premium-minded buyers of limited means. With the brand’s Volkswagen Group parent going all-in on electric vehicles, Audi has access to whatever it needs from mama’s parts bin. This will come in handy.

It seems a cheaper, smaller EV is Audi’s next big reveal, with the Golf-sized I.D. Neo hatch serving as a starting point for a new entry-level electric.

Having already shown off the pricier E-Tron midsize SUV, its Sportback sibling, and a GT concept strongly hinting at a future four-door “coupe,” Audi is turning its mind to the low end of the premium market. Underpinning the smaller vehicle would be VW’s dedicated MEB electric architecture.

According to Automotive News Europe, Audi confirmed its plans to debut a “premium compact SUV concept” at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, one which borrows VW’s MEB bones. Thanks to economies of scale, VW Group believes it’s capable of offering a multitude of EV in various segments with only a modest markup over comparable internal combustion vehicles.

The concept bound for Geneva is reportedly a close match to a production model slated for a late-2020 launch. Deliveries should begin in early 2021, by which time the larger Audi EVs (and those of its rivals) will have had time to reach buyers and normalize the idea of a fully-electric German luxury vehicle from a mainstream brand. Production will occur alongside the I.D. Neo at VW’s Zwickau plant.

Earlier reports claim the unnamed Audi will arrive with a footprint similar to that of the Q3 crossover. Expect a rear-drive setup in single-motor guise, all-wheel drive with twin propulsion units.

As early specs for the I.D. Neo claim 181 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of instant torque, the cheapest Audi EV should mirror these figures. While driving range depends on battery size decisions Audi hasn’t yet revealed, industry sentiment states 200 miles should be the absolute minimum.

The first MEB-based vehicle enters service in Europe early next year, with numerous models to follow. Audi’s E-Tron SUV goes on sale later this year.

[Image: Audi AG]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Tele Vision Tele Vision on Feb 09, 2019

    EVs are great Sunbelt cars. They don't work for where I live but I get to be lectured about them by Sunbelters in the media. It's currently -40C here.

    • See 5 previous
    • Multicam Multicam on Feb 10, 2019

      @Inside Looking Out ICE vehicles consume more gas at -40C... okay, do they consume enough additional gas to reduce their range by 40%? No? Didn’t think so. Can you still refill them in 5 minutes vs. however many hours for the EV? Yes. No way in hell I’d drive an EV in a legitimately cold climate. Didn’t we just talk about this here on TTAC?

  • Loopy55 Loopy55 on Feb 10, 2019

    I just want someone to give Tesla a bloody nose as I am quite tired of the Tesla drivers with their holier-than-thou attitude and number-plates here in SoCal.

    • See 4 previous
    • Tele Vision Tele Vision on Feb 10, 2019

      @Inside Looking Out Money does NOT confer intelligence. Fact.

  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
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