Audi Will Rename Its Range So That Even Numbers Represent EVs

According to a report from the UK's Auto Express, Audi will rename staples of its range in order to make it easier for customers to identify which vehicles are electric. The publication (which has not cited a source, so take this news with a pinch of salt for now) says that the Audi A4 will become the A5. The A5 will, therefore, spawn a sedan and an Avant (station wagon), supposedly killing off the A5 Sportback. Similarly, the report claims that the upcoming Audi A6 will become the A7. The A6 will live on in electric form as the A6 e-tron, which it seems will adopt unique styling traits compared to other Audi models. Basically, the claim is that even-numbered cars will move to all-electric powertrains.

If this rumor turns out to be true, it leaves us with some questions. First, what happens to models like the odd-numbered Audi A3, which will inevitably receive electrification along with the rest of Ingolstadt's lineup? Does this become the A2? Does the A4 become the new electric A3? And since Audi has decided to abandon internal combustion altogether within a decade, what is the point of restructuring the entire lineup's naming strategy when non-electrified Audis soon won't exist?

It's a puzzling rumor that makes us apprehensive as to its validity, but let's assume for a second that it is true. Using an earlier report (October 2021) from the same publication as context, it seems that the renaming exercise may only take place in the latter half of this decade, as the next-generation A4 will retain some form of combustion power. This will probably come with a confusing '45 TFSI' or similar badge on the trunk.