Audi is scrapping its recently announced naming system, allowing both electric and gas-powered vehicles to share the same model names. The automaker made the announcement Monday, marking a quick reversal of the scheme it unveiled just last year.
The German luxury brand had planned to use odd numbers (A5, Q5) for traditional combustion engines and even numbers (A6, Q6) for electric vehicles. That strategy is now being abandoned — all models will simply use numbers to indicate their size and market position.
“This decision follows intensive discussions and feedback from our customers and international dealers,” said Marco Schubert, Audi’s head of sales and marketing. He noted that returning to the previous naming approach is more intuitive for buyers trying to understand where each model fits in the lineup.
Audi will keep using its familiar A prefix for cars and Q for SUVs.
The change better accommodates Audi’s expanding lineup of plug-in hybrids, which didn’t fit neatly into the previous binary naming structure dividing vehicles into either pure electric or combustion-powered categories.
Specific powertrain designations aren’t going away entirely. The company will continue using E-Tron for electric vehicles, TFSI for gas engines, and TFSI e for plug-in hybrids. Body style names like Sportback and Avant will also remain unchanged.
The first model affected will be the next-generation gas-powered A6, set to debut March 4. Under the abandoned system, this vehicle would have been called the A7. Instead, it will launch as the A6 TFSI, while its electric counterpart keeps the A6 E-Tron badge.
Despite sharing a name, these A6 variants will likely use different underlying architectures. The electric A6 E-Tron employs the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) — the same foundation used in the Q6 E-Tron and electric Porsche Macan. Meanwhile, the gas A6 is expected to utilize the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which underpins the latest A5 and Q5 models.
The naming revision reflects Audi’s flexible approach as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles while maintaining its traditional lineup. It’s a strategy that acknowledges market uncertainties while aiming to reduce customer confusion.
