For years Audi’s naming convention has been pretty simple. You’d have the model designation, the engine size and if it featured all-wheel drive, for example, Audi A4 2.0 TFSI. Now Audi has decided to change it, since it’s about to get really confusing with the future introduction of new electric and plug-in hybrid models.
“As alternative drive technologies become increasingly relevant, engine displacement as a performance attribute is becoming less important to our customers. The clarity and logic of structuring the designations according to power output makes it possible to distinguish between the various performance levels,” explains Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing at Audi AG.
Audi has decided to change the model designations from engine size, to power output in kilowatts (kW). The new classification classifies its model range into different performance levels – each identified by a two-numeral combination. For example, the numeral combination “30” will appear on the rear of all models with power output between 81 and 96 kW. And “45” stands for power output between 169 and 185 kW. The top of the Audi model range is the performance class above 400 kW, which is identifiable by the number combination “70”. In each case the numerals appear along with the engine technology – TFSI, TDI, g-tron or e-tron.
The new naming convention will kick off with the 2018 Audi A8 this fall. Audi plans to add the new naming convention to all its models by next summer.
Source: Audi
