Insiders have instructed that Hoffmann’s transfer was a response to the software program points that delayed the Q6 E-tron, however Döllner says: “We determined to place extra emphasis on our Formulation 1 venture and Oliver Hoffmann is the correct individual to try this. He began that venture and, as we step in much more intensively, he’s the correct one to guide that venture: he’s a racer; he’s an engineer; he’s a developer.”
Simply as considerably, long-time Audi design chief Marc Lichte will shortly get replaced by former JLR design director Massimo Frascella.
“Marc did a superb and excellent job for Audi, with actually sturdy merchandise available on the market,” says Döllner. “It’s not that something is improper, however we thought it is likely to be time after 10 years – for design, that’s a historic period – for a change.”
Frascella will discover a lot to maintain him busy when he begins his new job: the Q6 E-tron and not too long ago revealed A3 facelift are the primary of 20 new or up to date fashions due by the top of 2025.
These will embrace each new EVs, together with the A6 E-tron saloon, and combustion-engined fashions, together with the brand new A5 and Q5 that will likely be launched this 12 months. Notably, these two fashions will use what Audi is asking a brand new ICE platform named Premium Efficiency Combustion (PPC).
Though the timeframe has been barely stretched from the plans introduced by Duesmann a 12 months in the past, Döllner says that the problem remains to be “large – I’ve by no means seen something prefer it in my profession to date. I’m positive once we look again we’ll say: ‘How did we try this?’”
SUVs will likely be a serious precedence early within the offensive – particularly within the US – however Döllner insists that Audi is not going to merely turn into an SUV maker. “The core of our model will likely be three low platforms and three SUV platforms,” he says.
And sure, which means Avant property fashions will proceed. “Avant will likely be a part of the Audi DNA so long as our prospects ask for it,” says Döllner. “It could possibly be an attention-grabbing alternative, as a result of there should not so many [electric] ones round.”
