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Audi drops split model names for EV and ICE cars

Audi has dropped its model naming strategy that separated its EV from its ICE using even and odd numbers, after less than two years.

In early 2023, the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer announced that cars ending with an even number would be EVs, while those adopting an odd number would be ICE-driven.

The move comes after Audi dealers reported confusion amongst customers and poor sales of its e-tron EV range. In 2024, just 164,000 of 1.7 million Audis sold globally were all-electric, and sales in Germany, the United States, and China, were down 21%, 13%, and 11% respectively.

Under Audi’s original plan, EVs were assigned the numbers 2, 4, 6, and 8, while ICEs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were given 1, 3, 5 and 7. The A4 was rebranded the A5, and the A6 was set to become the A7.

The new A7 (due for reveal on March 4) will now instead be called the A6, with the electric A6 badged ‘e-tron’ and the A6 badged ‘TFSI’ for petrol and ‘TDI’ for diesel. Across the range, e-tron will be used for EVs, while TFSI and TDI will be used for petrol and diesels.

However, Audi has no plans to change the name of its upcoming A4 EV and newly-rebadged A5/S5. As such, the upcoming S5 won’t revert to the S4 name when it is facelifted.

Audi will continue to use the ‘A’ prefix for its hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons, and ‘Q’ for its crossovers and SUVs.

“This decision is the result of intensive discussions and also follows the wishes of our customers as well as feedback from our international dealers,” said Marco Schubert, Audi sales and marketing board member.

“Our nomenclature now provides all customers worldwide with an intuitive orientation in our portfolio. We choose the names of our models in a way that reveals size and positioning at first glance.”

In short, Audi has reverted to its pre-2023 naming strategy.

The news comes just a few months after the German manufacturer announced it was launching a China-only sub-brand called AUDI.

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Matt Allan

Matt is Editor of EV Powered. He has worked in journalism for more than 20 years and been an automotive journalist for the last decade, covering every aspect of the industry, from new model reveals and reviews to consumer and driving advice. The former motoring editor of inews.co.uk, The Scotsman and National World, Matt has watched the EV landscape transform beyond recognition over the last 10 years and developed a passion for electric vehicles and what they mean for the future of transport - from the smallest city cars to the biggest battery-powered trucks. When he’s not driving or writing about electric cars, he’s figuring out how to convert his classic VW camper to electric power.