Audi Announces Affordable Electric Car Launch in 2026, Threatening BMW's Market Position
Audi Unveils Plans for New Entry-Level Electric Vehicle
German automaker Audi is set to expand its zero-emission offerings with a new entry-level electric vehicle (EV), due to be manufactured at its home in Ingolstadt from as early as next year.
The production version of the conceptually named Concept C, a fully electric vehicle, is scheduled for release in 2027. This new model will introduce a fresh design language for Audi and is internally known as "NB0".
According to reports, the i1, as it is believed to be called, will be a rear-wheel-drive hatchback featuring Neue Klasse know-how. The base version in Germany is expected to cost less than €46,150, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
The i1 is expected to deliver at least 373 miles (600 kilometers) of WLTP range, thanks to new battery technology with round cells. This impressive range places the i1 in direct competition with the BMW iX1, which will be released later this decade.
In terms of body style, the new entry-level EV from Audi is rumoured to be positioned between a hatchback and an SUV. If released, the Audi EV will indirectly replace two combustion-engine models: the A1 and Q2.
Audi aims for two million annual sales in the long term, and wider availability of a more affordable EV would improve its chances of reaching this goal. The upcoming Audi EV is described as a "wonderful, unique, independent concept" and is expected to slot below the Q4 E-Tron in pricing.
CEO Gernot Döllner has hinted that the new EV could revive the "A2" nameplate previously used for a quirky aluminum-bodied hatchback, and it's "thinkable" Audi could bring back past monikers for future models.
The new entry-level EV from Audi is also expected to be related to the Skoda Elroq. Production of the A1 and Q2 will end in 2026, when the entry-level EV is scheduled to go on sale.
In the United States, pricing for the future model is currently unknown. BMW, on the other hand, plans to go a size below the iX1 later this decade with the i1, expected in 2028. Last year, Audi sold 1.67 million cars compared to BMW's 2.2 million units worldwide.
The Audi's Ingolstadt opponent will use a dedicated EV platform (MEB), unlike the BMW iX1 which shares its platform with gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid X1. The new electric Audi model expected in 2026, which will indirectly replace the A1 and Q2, will likely be based on the MEB Small platform, a shorter version of the MEB platform used for the VW ID.2, ID.2 X, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq. This model is tentatively named the A2 e-tron.
As Audi continues to push towards a more sustainable future, the introduction of this new entry-level EV is a significant step in its ongoing electrification strategy. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
