The new Audi A4 electric car is being delayed to 2029, here are the reasons

Audi has delayed the launch of the A4 e-tron, its competitor to the BMW i3 and Mercedes-Benz Class C EQ, to 2029. Originally, production of this model was set to begin in Ingolstadt, Germany, in 2028, with it serving as the first vehicle to utilize Volkswagen Group’s new SSP modular platform—a architecture that will support the vast majority of the company’s electric cars in the future.

It is precisely the delays in developing this platform that have forced Audi to change the launch date for its highly anticipated sedan. This move will leave the four-ring brand without a presence in a key segment: the electric D-class. With the success of the BMW i3, the Mercedes-Benz Class C EQ is also expected to gain significant popularity.

Audi does have a presence in the D-SUV segment with its electric model, the Q6 e-tron. However, the arrival of new competitors such as the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ, and Volvo EX60 threatens to make things difficult for this German SUV. Despite being one of the first in its class to adopt an 800-volt architecture, it lags behind its rivals in areas like range.

It is unclear whether the SSP platform will ultimately incorporate a zonal electronic architecture developed with Rivian or XPeng. Due to delays faced by its U.S. teams, Volkswagen is considering equipping its future European models with the CEA (China Electronic Architecture), which is already used in some of its Asian models.

SSP platform continues to face delays

The SSP will also serve as the basis for the upcoming CUPRA León, Formentor, and Tindaya models, as well as the Volkswagen ID. Golf and ID. Roc. Recently, Volkswagen announced a temporary suspension of the ID. Golf project due to financial difficulties, so the ID. Roc is likely to hit the market first. Both vehicles will be produced at the Wolfsburg plant in Germany.

Skoda will introduce the SSP platform with the successor to the Enyaq and the fifth-generation Octavia, which are expected by the end of this decade or the beginning of the next. All indications suggest that the new Octavia will also replace the Superb, meaning it will be larger than the current model. It is unclear whether it will still come in a sedan body style or will be available exclusively as an estate.

Since the A6 e-tron comes with a family-oriented Avant version, it’s likely the A4 e-tron will offer something similar. This would enable Audi to compete with the upcoming BMW i3 Touring, whose market launch has already been officially confirmed. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, does not plan to release an Estate version of the C Class EQ, leaving that role filled by the CLA Shooting Brake.

Source | Autocar