The signs are pointing to the old ICE.
Audi is preparing for a future without TSI, TFSI and TDI badges on their cars. Markus Duesmann, the company boss, has stated to German publication Automobilewoche that the Four Rings have stopped developing new engines. This means that there will not be a new generation of internal combustion engines. However, existing gasoline and diesel powertrains are being updated to comply with increasingly strict emission regulations.
In the same interview with Automobilewoche Markus Duesmann said that it will be a “huge task” to upgrade existing combustion engines in order to make them compliant with the Euro 7 regulations. He passively-aggressively criticized the European Union by arguing the environment has little to benefit from these cleaner engines, which are hard to develop in order to keep the regulators happy.
Audi’s decision not to develop a next-generation engine family will have significant repercussions for the Volkswagen Group. Audi was promoted to the top of research and development when VAG published its 2019 financial results almost a year ago. The traditional combustion engine is at risk at VAG, with Audi leading R&D and the entire German conglomerate heavily investing in electrification.
It’s not over yet, but you should still pour one for the ICE. It will take some time before Euro 7 regulations kick in. Audi will prepare the engines for stricter emission laws. The W12 is leaving and the R8’s V10 will soon be gone. However, it is possible that the Lamborghini Huracan could still live with some electrification.
Markus Duesmann stated in an interview that Audi could be an EV-only company by 2035. It’s not yet possible, but it’s worth considering if you love big engines.