Audi News: Audi To Make Future Models Look Different

[William Maley]

A constant complaint we have about Audis is their one-size fits all design philosophy as it is difficult to tell the difference between an A3 and A4 for example. Thankfully, Audi will be diversifying their designs in future models.

“This [repetition] design process was used to make Audis more recognisable in newer and emerging markets. Now we are well known in major markets like China, we can begin to change this philosophy and give each car its own look,” said Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler to Autocar.

“We recognise that there is a place for more differentiation now. Since our cars are in production for a minimum of six years, in today’s world I think each model should have its own design to be attractive for this long time,” said Audi design boss Marc Lichte

You can see this with the Audi Q2 crossover with a different take on the grille and C-Pillar from other Audi crossovers. But Lichte says the biggest change will come with the launch of the e-tron quattro SUV next year. Due to the compact size of the electric powertrain, this gives designers more space to play with.

“Design will go in a very different way. [Designers] will have more material space to play with, so we’ll be able to produce [vehicles with] shorter overhangs and lower bonnets. It makes for a more attractive design overall.”

Source: Autocar

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[David]

Mercedes-Benz, are you listening , we the people HATE cookie cutter one size fits all design. Time to retire the pathetic design language and give each auto it's own personality.

[ccap41]

10 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Mercedes-Benz, are you listening , we the people HATE cookie cutter one size fits all design.

I think MB lineup looks great and wouldn't change it. 

You should be preaching to every mainstream brand, not just Mercedes. 

[balthazar]

MB in recent years has had differentiation due to multiple design 'languages' ongoing at once. But in the last few, once they started putting the CLA design on all other lines (coupes), it's homogenized. MB wanders around a decent amount.
Where the criticism can rightfully be placed is over at BMW.

Audi doesn't change much, but they don't sell much in the US and half their line no one buys at all, so it seems to work OK here.
But IMO model consolidation is in order, not struggling to make differences for differences sake.

[smk4565]

Audi needs this, their cars look super similar.  I liked when Mercedes made the E-class look different than the S-class, and the C-class had those junior S-class styling cues, seemed to work well for them, but the C, E, S classes are all selling well so the current theme works too. 

[regfootball]

Audi styling is the 6 window and the horizontal line on the side (which has had a bit of swoosh lately).

this is all talk from them, they'll still keep doing the same ****

[Frisky Dingo]

Out of the 3 German lux brands- Audi, BMW, and MB- Audi by far has the largest styling differences from model to model. 

And it's not just them. Volvo is a huge offender with their new offerings. Cadillac does it. Jaguar does it. Jeep is doing it with their new crossovers. 

Just saying, Audi can't be singled out for this.

[David]

Seems Audi is expecting to sell 800,000 EVs / Hybrids by 2025 as they transition away from Diesel and Petro.

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/05/09/audi-800000-ev-hybrid-sales-2025/

[balthazar]

I'd like to know their EV projection for the US market.

[David]

10 hours ago, balthazar said:

I'd like to know their EV projection for the US market.

WOW, Talk about so many news sources not linking to Audi's actual news release on this. I did find this Fortune story where Audi Executives are stating that by 2025 the US market will be 1 in 4 Audi sold to be a Plug in EV.

http://fortune.com/2016/05/12/audi-plans-to-launch-a-new-electric-vehicle-model-every-year/

Based on this story and others from Wall street journal, CNN, etc. it would appear that Audi believes their US business will be 25% petro, 50% Hybrid and 25% EV by 2025. 

The consistent 25% makes me wonder about the thought behind this.

[frogger]

I doubt they will be too radical in their differentiation, their total sales have been growing pretty decently in the USA as is considering it is just a complimentary market for them and the established brands they have been competing with.

2017	226.511	1,30%
2016	210.213	1,19%
2015	202.202	1,16%
2014	182.011	1,10%
2013	158.061	1,01%
2012	139.310	0,97%
2011	117.561	0,92%
2010	101.629	0,88%
2009	82.716	0,79%
2008	87.760	0,66%
2007	93.506	0,58%
2006	80.113	0,48%
2005	83.066	0,49%
2004	30.749	0,18%
2003	35.378	0,21%
2002	85.726	0,50%
2001	83.283	0,50%
2000	80.372	0,50%