U-turn: Audi changes its naming strategy, again

Originally, e-cars were to be given even numbers and combustion engines odd numbers

Photo by: Audi

By: Roland Hildebrandt

Feb 4, 2025 at 3:25am ET

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It's a paradox with the right name. Car companies know that. For example, "Duster" sounds rather dark, but it still makes faces light up at Dacia. Things get really difficult when it comes to electromobility. VW customers are still unfamiliar with the abbreviation ID.3, while the logic of the 5-series and i5 was convincing at BMW. Less so with the E-Class and EQE from Mercedes.

Now, somewhat surprisingly, Audi is taking a step backwards. Until now, the plan was that the upcoming models with electric drive would have an even number. And the combustion engines an odd number. Example: A6 e-tron and A5 Avant. But this seems to have overwhelmed customers and dealers alike.

Gallery: 2025 Audi A6 Avant E-Tron

Source: Audi

The official statement now reads: "Worldwide stringency and clear orientation for all customers based on the model designation: Audi is strengthening the alphanumeric structure of its nomenclature. In future, this will be standardised worldwide and transparent according to the size and positioning of the respective model. The previous distinction between purely electric vehicles and models with combustion engines based on the number will no longer apply".

The successor to the combustion engine A6, originally planned as the A7, will therefore be called the A6 TFSI or A6 TDI. And the A6 e-tron, which has already been launched. It is therefore quite possible that the success of BMW's 5 Series/i5 and similar models has prompted Audi to rethink its strategy. Besides, the previous strategy was difficult in this respect, as there was already an A5 series, but the new A5 is more of an A4.

And not to forget: The A4, A6 and the like have been established for decades. It all began in 1994 with the new A4, the successor to the Audi 80, and in the same year the 100 was extensively revised to become the A6.

"The decision is the result of intensive discussions and also reflects the wishes of our customers and feedback from our international dealers," said Marco Schubert, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at Audi. "With our new nomenclature, we are now offering all customers around the world intuitive orientation in our portfolio. We are naming our models in such a way that their size and positioning are clear at first glance."

This is something that the products from Ingolstadt urgently need. Retailers have probably thrown up their hands in disbelief in recent years. And unless you're a customer who's an expert in the field, you've only been able to understand what's going on.

In addition to the chaos of model designations (which is about to be corrected), we are also reminded of the outrageous numbers for the engine variants. What is a 35 TFSI or a 40 TDI, and why is it completely different in the A1 than in the A6? Fortunately, this madness has recently been stopped. A return to logic seems to have finally prevailed.

The new Audi A5 Avant can keep its model name

Photo by: Audi

Audi explains this somewhat scientifically: In future, the alpha-numeric model designation worldwide will consist of one or more letters and a number. The letters A and Q will continue to characterise the differentiation between low- and high-floor vehicles. (Translated: non-SUV and SUV.) The number from currently one to eight enables clear categorisation regardless of the type of drive. This eliminates the previous differentiation of the drive concept based on even and odd model numbers.

Audi has a rather scientific explanation for this: In future, alphanumeric model designations worldwide will consist of one or more letters and a number. The letters A and Q will continue to differentiate between low-floor and high-floor vehicles (translation: non-SUV and SUV). The number, which currently ranges from one to eight, allows clear categorisation regardless of the type of drive. The previous differentiation of the drive concept based on even and odd model numbers is therefore no longer applicable.

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In the future, purely electrically powered vehicles will share a letter/number combination with internal combustion engine vehicles, based on size and positioning. The necessary differentiation between individual models and derivatives in the portfolio is achieved by adding the name of the body form (e.g. Avant, Saloon or Sportback) and the already familiar engine abbreviation (e.g. e-tron, TFSIe, TFSI or TDI).

The first new model to use this nomenclature will be the Audi A6 with a combustion engine, which will celebrate its world premiere on 4 March. As the A6 Avant TFSI, it will be clearly distinguishable from the purely electrically powered A6 Avant e-tron by its powertrain abbreviation. There are no plans to retrospectively change the engines of models already on sale. The A5 saloon and A5 Avant will therefore retain their names.