Audi, you have our total attention.
Volkswagen Group is currently working on a new flagship electric car. It is currently known as the “Landjet” internal codename. Audi will lead the ambitious engineering project as part the Project Artemis plan to elevate the German conglomerate’s EV efforts. Driver and Car sat down to have a conversation with Marc Lichte, the man in charge for Ingolstadt’s design. We wanted to know more about the mysterious zero emission car.
Landjet is being designed to travel long distances without human intervention. This can only be interpreted as a large battery pack with advanced autonomous driving systems. Lighte stated that the vehicle’s styling will change from the current Audi designs and added that it “will be revolutionary.”
Landjet, as is the norm when it comes to VAG products will be able to accept more than one badge. The tech-laden EV will not only carry the Four Rings but will also reportedly produce Bentley and Porsche versions of the vehicle. It will be equipped with the modular PE architecture that Audi and Porsche have jointly developed for large vehicles.
Rumours suggest that the Landjet will feature three rows. This would usually imply either a SUV or a minivan. If the reports are correct, however, it could be a sedan. It is similar to the Tesla Model S. However, a three-row sedan is possible.
Although the styling is still a mystery, the 2017 Aicon Concept showed a high-end electric sedan equipped with an autonomous level 5 driving system. Although it only had a 2+2 layout (though you could easily fit three rows of seats due to its size, which was 5.44 meters (17.9 feet).
The Aicon’s long-range capability was also similar to the Landjet’s. It was designed as a companion for extended trips. The concept was unveiled by Audi at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It promised a range up to 800 km (497 miles).
It is too early to predict if the Aicon’s specifications will be reflected on the Landjet which is expected to arrive in 2024. The design is still in progress so it will be a long process. VAG’s electric crown jewel will be assembled at the Hannover factory, Germany. This is where the Amarok pickup trucks and Transporter vans are built.