Holland’s TDI is a historical landmark.
The company behind the R8 V12 concept and the torquetasticQ7 V12 TCI has announced that it will cease sales of diesel-powered cars in The Netherlands. The Four Rings will effectively eliminate all diesel options from the local VW Group lineup by April 1, 2022, citing declining demand for its highly criticized oil-burner.
The Dutch Audis with combustion engines will no longer be sold. Some of these will be able to work with an electric motor to create plug-in hybrids. TFSI and TFSIe will be sold along with a growing number of electric vehicles, such as the Q6 Etron-concept-debut%22%7D. An A6 Etron will be added to the lineup in the next years, along with a recently unveiled wagon.
The Dutch will no longer produce diesel Audis and engineers have stopped developing fossil-fueled powertrains. However, a final generation of ICE is being developed. They could be first in gasoline or diesel versions of the A4due 2023. These will be electrified more than ever through mild-hybrid or PHEV setups.
Euro 7 regulations are imminent and the Ingolstadt-based marque took precautionary measures to improve its ICEs to avoid having to pay high fees for exceeding fleet emissions. 2025 will be remembered as the year Audi’s last combustion-engined car was launched. The German luxury brand will cease selling conventionally-powered vehicles by 2033. China could be an exception, where the gasoline mill may continue to depend on local demand.
Some gasoline engines are also being retired as it is unlikely that the R8’s naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 will survive another generation. It could continue in the Lamborghini Huracan replacement, but Audi has already stated that its next supercar is entirely electric.
The 2.5-liter inline five engine that powers the RS3, RS Q3 and TT RS is also on borrowed time. The 400-hp hot car was revealed less than a decade ago. It should be around for some time.