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Audi can produce a rugged electric SUV to compete with similar models in the luxury segment such as the electric Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The information was reported on Thursday by Autocar after an interview with Marc Lichte, Audi’s head of design.
Lichte reportedly says there’s room for such a vehicle because there are only two real alternatives in the premium segment—the aforementioned models. He also reportedly said Audi needed such a vehicle given its history of success in off-road racing, which continued even in the electric era with the RS Q E-Tron off-roader entering the Dakar Rally in recent years. The RS Q E-Tron program serves as a testbed for the development of an electric all-wheel-drive system, referred to by Audi as Quattro 2.0.
Interestingly, Audi on Thursday revealed the Activesphere concept, a coupe-like crossover with a lofty ride height and tailgate complete with dropped tailgate.
Audi Activesphere concept
Autocar reckons that the rugged Audi SUV will use the electric body-on-frame platform being developed by fellow VW Group Volkswagen brand for its upcoming Scout SUV and pickup truck. Scouts are slated for 2026 and will be built in the US, and it’s likely that every Audi SUV that shares a platform with the Scouts will also share a factory.
There has been speculation that VW is looking to outsource production of the Scouts to contract manufacturers such as Foxconn or Magna. Magna’s Austrian subsidiary Steyr Magna is the company that built the G-Class for Mercedes and also helped develop the vehicle.
A senior Magna executive in September said the company was looking at locations to build an EV factory in the US
According to Autocar, Audi could only be launched around 2027 if the development gets the green light. Stay here.
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