Audi U-turns on even-numbered EV and odd-numbered combustion car model names

Published: 03 February 2025

► Audi changes its naming strategy… AGAIN
► No odd ICE/even EV names as per old plan
► Decision comes from dealer and customer confusion

Audi has announced that it will scrap its plans to name its electric cars with even numbers and its combustion and PHEV models with odd numbers.

The brand has confirmed that ‘the previous distinction between different drivetrain technologies according to even and odd model numbers no longer applies.’

That means that, for example, the new Audi A6 e-Tron electric car will now be joined by an A6 combustion variant that will launch on 4 March. The original plan was for the combustion version to be named A7 to separate powertrain type.

The U-turn on splitting up the naming of its cars is meant to ‘represent the size and positioning of each model globally in a unified and transparent way.’

Marco Schubert, Audi’s member of the board for sales and marketing, says: ‘This decision is the result of intensive discussions, and follows the wishes of our customers as well as feedback from our international dealers. We choose the names of our models in a way that reveals size and positioning at first glance.’

Audi says it’s A and Q lettering will still apply to formally separate its conventional cars from its SUVs, and it will still denominate the particular bodystyle with Sportback, Saloon or Avant – should it be required. S and RS shall also remain as per current convention.

The news comes not long after Audi quietly dropped the use of its two-number designation for powertrain output (e.g: an Audi A6 50 TFSI or Audi A3 30 TDI). Power will still be marked with TFSI (petrol), TFSIe (plug-in hybrid), TDI (diesel) or e-Tron – just without the relative (and confusing) two-digit tag.

By Jake Groves

CAR's deputy news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist

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