Audi aims to snatch back first place in China's premium vehicle segment
With the e-tron GT, Audi is demonstrating its plans for shaping the future of mobility. It calls the model the start of a new era and the Gran Turismo of the future.
The model is 4.99 meters in length and 1.96 meters wide, almost the widest model in its segment. The RS variant can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.3 seconds.
Eichhorn said these models constitute the first wave of Audi's electrification campaign. It is preparing waves two and three by collaborating with Volkswagen.
"Wave two will be, and that is the beauty if you are part of the biggest car company in the world, we can use also the MEB platform of the Volkswagen Group. So, the second wave will then include cars on MEB," he said.
Phase three will be cars built based on the Premium Platform Electric, which is developed by Audi and Porsche.
"You can imagine that when we do it with Porsche, that guarantees its latest technology and absolute high performance and efficiency," Eichhorn said.
Audi is planning to build PPE electric vehicles in China in a partnership with FAW.
The joint venture, which is located in Changchun, Jilin province, will see the first model roll off the assembly line in 2024. Audi holds the majority stake in the partnership.
Eichhorn said the company is working on updating and developing software as well, including connectivity and digitalization, and autonomous driving.
"We are speeding up and we are transferring all the strengths we have out of the existing business into the latest technology and into the NEV market," Eichhorn said.
Globally, Audi is aiming to have 30 electrified models on sale by 2025.