The best new Audi models coming by 2026: all you need to know
March 21, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
Audi has committed to going EV only by 2033, so the brand is hard at work developing new electric cars. Petrol and hybrid power still have a place in the lineup for now though, so read on for a full rundown of what to expect by 2026.
New Audi models coming in 2024
Audi will be launching quite a few new EVs this year, with the highly anticipated Q6 e-tron making it’s debut and the A6 e-tron coming soon after. There will also be a few new petrol-engines cars, and the brand’s naming structure is getting a shake up as well.
New Audi A3 and S3
The Audi A3 was one of the top 10 best-selling cars in February 2024, and the ever-popular hatchback has been given a mid-life facelift to keep it looking fresh in the face of the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series. In addition to the lightly revised styling, the A3 has been given some interior tweaks.
You now get a slightly different dashboard design, as well as a smaller gear selector and a tidied-up centre console. Audi’s 10.25-inch digital driver’s display now comes as standard, and the infotainment system is running new and improved software.
The warmed-up Audi S3 will also be getting a makeover at a later late, as well as the full-fat RS3. You can expect to see more power and a re-tuned gearbox in both cars.
New Audi Q6 e-tron
The highly-anticipated Audi Q6 e-tron is finally here, and this electric SUV touts some impressive stats thanks to a handful of parts from Porsche. It uses the same 100kWh battery pack as the new Porsche Macan EV, and as a result it has up to 385 miles of range.
The interior is also packed with a raft of new tech, including an all-new infotainment system comprising an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.5-inch infotainment screen under one sheet of curved glass. Just like the latest Porsche models, the new Q6 e-tron is also available with an optional passenger display.
Power comes courtesy of a dual-motor setup with 387hp, or there’s a spicy SQ6 e-tron with 489hp. The latter of the two can do 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds.
New Audi A6 e-tron
Shortly after the Q6 e-tron SUV, Audi will whip the covers off the new A6 e-tron saloon. This Audi EQE alternative was first revealed in concept form a couple of years ago, and looking at Carwow’s spy shots of the production car it seems the design has carried over more or less unchanged.
Just like the Q6 e-tron, this new saloon will use a 100kWh battery and it’ll deliver 436 miles of range. While the interior hasn’t been revealed just yet, you can expect to see a similar design and infotainment system to its SUV stablemate.
New Audi e-tron GT
Moving on from the all-new electric cars, Audi will also be refreshing the sporty e-tron GT this year. It’s already a fabulous-looking car, so it’s just getting some minor styling tweaks to modernise the design a bit.
Given that the e-tron GT shares parts with the Porsche Taycan, it’s likely that the updated version will get similar power gains to the recently revised Taycan. You can also expect a few tweaks to the suspension.
New Audi A5
Audi is shaking up its models this year with a new naming structure. Even numbers are now designated to its electric cars, with the internal combustion models now wearing odd numbers. As a result, today’s A4 saloon and estate will now be called the A5.
This new alternative to the BMW 3 Series has been spotted testing a few times, and it looks as though the styling updates will be in line with cars like the new A6 e-tron. You can expect to see a range of petrol and plug-in hybrid engines as well.
New Audi Q5
The final big reveal of 2024 is rumoured to be the new Audi Q5, with the BMW X5 alternative said to be coming at the end of the year. Today’s Q5 has been around for a while now, so this new car is getting a completely revamped design.
You can also expect to see a similar interior design to the Q6 e-tron SUV, and the engine range is likely to remain broadly the same as well. This would mean a choice of petrol and diesel engines, and a plug-in hybrid is likely to join the lineup as well.
New Audi models coming in 2025
Looking ahead to next year, it looks as though it’ll be a big one for Audi’s RS division. The new RS5 is expected to make a debut, as well as the hot version of the A6 e-tron.
New Audi RS5
Following the launch of the new Audi A5, the full-fat RS5 will come along in 2025. Carwow’s spy photographers have caught this rapid estate car out and about during development testing, and we’ve had a stab at stripping back the camouflage together a better idea of what this fast estate car will look like.
The new RS5 Avant seems to have more of a sloped bonnet line than the current RS4, and the massive Audi grille is looking as aggressive as ever. The flared wheel arches and large rear wing are all pretty typical of an RS model as well.
It’s likely to retain a V6 engine, however the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology is almost inevitable. Expect to see a similar system to the one found in the new Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, meaning it could have up to 520hp.
New Audi Q3
Hot on the heels of the larger Q5, the new Audi Q3 is expected to make its debut in 2025. Carwow’s spy photographers have spotted this BMW X1 alternative out and about during cold weather testing, and there was plenty of time to get some snaps after the driver of this prototype ended up wedged in a snow bank.
Before the unplanned off-roading session, you can see the front end styling is pretty similar to the Audi Q6 e-tron with some slim LED running lights above the main beams. The tail lights are also all-new, with a full-width light bar likely ot be hiding under that wrap.
New Audi RS7
Following the RS5 will be the new Audi RS7, known today as the RS6. It’s only been spotted testing in the current A6’s body shell for now, so you can’t tell what it’ll look like yet. The styling is likely to be a gentle evolution of today’s car.
Expect to see a V8 engine under the bonnet, paired with an electric motor for some added power and efficiency. The plug-in hybrid system could come from the new Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, a car which has 680hp.
New Audi RS6 Avant e-tron
The takeover of EVs in Audi’s range doesn’t mean the death of fast RS cars, but it could spell the end of non-hybrid 2.9-litre V6s and 4.0-litre V8s.
The new Audi RS6 Avant e-tron is likely to be the first of these high-performance electric cars, and these exclusive renders give you a peek at what it may look like. Expect it to get more aggressive-looking bumpers than the A6 Avant e-tron, as well as a lowered ride height.
It could have almost 800hp and 1,000Nm of torque but don’t expect to see this car revealed until well into 2025.
New Audi models coming after 2025
Audi has revealed a handful of concept cars which preview technology you’ll find in its models beyond 2025. This includes revolutionary new infotainment tech, as well as self-driving systems.
New Audi Grand Sphere – A8 replacement
The Audi Grand Sphere concept gives you an idea of what the next Audi A8 will look like. It’s sporting a sleeker, more coupe-esque shape than the current car, and it’s crammed with clever technology.
This luxury saloon could pack up to 720hp, get up to 470 miles of range and come with level four self-driving systems. This means it can drive itself in most (but not all) situations with human supervision.
It’s unlikely that this technology will be ready for a good few years, but you can expect this new saloon to get some of the most advanced driver assistance tech ever when it goes on sale after 2025.
New Audi Sky Sphere
The Audi Sky Sphere concept was revealed back in 2021, and this super-futuristic roadster is packing some very clever features. For starters, it can extend its wheelbase to aid high-speed stability, as well as getting the same autonomous driving tech as the Grand Sphere.
Don’t get your wallets out just yet though – this new drop-top is unlikely to make production, at least not in its current state.
New Audi Active Sphere
The Audi Active Sphere is the latest in the lineup of Sphere concepts, and it’s a jacked-up coupe designed for going off-road. It looks a bit like an Audi RS7, however it’s closer to the Audi Q8 in size.
The rear end can convert into a pickup bed by folding the window up over the roof, with space to carry electric bikes, and there’s even a ski rack which folds out of the roof.
The Active Sphere gets a 100kWh battery which Audi claims will give it a range of “well over” 372 miles. As for performance, it has dual motors which produce 442hp and 720Nm of torque, enough to accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds.
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