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Audi has reversed its decision to end the development and sale of internal combustion engined vehicles in 2033 and now has no fixed date for such a plan.

The German firm had previously planned to end development of internal combustion engines next year. At one stage it planned to launch no new ICE cars are 2026, but had already hinted that plan has been ditched.

Speaking to Autocar, CEO Gernot Döllner emphasised that he “had not been the one to communicate the end date”, the decision having been taken by previous management. But he confirmed he had reversed it as he “believes in flexibility”, a decision that also includes Audi’s high-performance RS models.

He said: “Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop.

“We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past.”

Döllner also confirmed Audi would lead development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architectures for larger models in the future (essentially anything from an A5-sized vehicle and up), including the next-generation SSP platform that would see the Group move to ‘software-defined vehicles’ for the first time. This project involves Rivian, whom the VW Group has invested in, and the first Audis on the SSP platform would hit the market in late 2027/2028.

Audi is however trimming its model range and it has no plans to replace the A1 and Q2 models. The Q3 and A3 models would represent the entry point of the range, with the A8 the range-topper on the “low car” side and the Q7 and Q8, and a mooted Q9, where the range would end on the SUVs and crossovers.

An all-electric A3-sized model was in development for 2026 as an additional model in the range, Döllner confirmed, but there were no plans for Audi to create its own version of the Volkswagen ID 2/Skoda Epiq/Cupra Raval entry-level electric car.

The brand's new Formula 1 team would also “inspire us to think about road cars of the future”, according to Döllner in reference to any specific models that might link the road and race efforts but there would also be learnings from efficiency and hybrid powertrain management from the new F1 engine rules that could filter down to Audi’s road cars, too.

When asked if the F1 team meant Audi was considering a return for the likes of the R8 and TT, Döllner said the firm was “thinking about everything…we are car guys, let yourself be surprised”.

When asked he expand, he said” “There is room for Audi in such fields. We are evaluating different options but it’s a little too early to talk about that.”

The Audi Q3 has returned for a third generation, bringing a fresh design and a quite radical interior operational change.

One of the German car maker’s best selling models – having sold more than two million globally since its 2011 launch – the crossover will arrive in September priced from £38,300.

While sporting a much-changed new design compared to the previous model, one of its most interesting changes comes inside, where traditional control stalks have been replaced with a new solid block with buttons. 

What Audi refers to as its ‘steering wheel control unit’ houses everything from drive selection and light functions to windscreen wiper operations and even the indicators. All are operated by physical buttons and the panel ends do not, like a stalk, move.

If customer feedback is positive on the new control unit, it will likely be rolled out across the rest of the range. Audi isn’t the first car maker to try and reinvent operational stalks, the most notable being Tesla which, with the facelifted Model 3, did away with them altogether, moving indicators to touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel - something, after feedback, it reversed with the updated Model Y.

What’s more, removing the previous model’s gear lever has freed up space in the centre console for a pair of cup holders and a wireless charging pad. Elsewhere, the Q3’s cabin gains a new 12.8inch infotainment screen and 11.9inch instrument cluster.

The new Q3 arrives with a fresh exterior design which is a big departure from the more rounded second-generation car it replaces. 

The crossover borrows much of its lighting signatures from the new A6 Avant: at the front it uses its slimmed LED lights, and at the rear the same light bar and rear light designs. The Q3’s rear badge is, like most new VW Group cars, also illuminated.

Again based on the same MQB platform as the Audi A3 and VW Golf, the new Q3 opens with the 148bhp four cylinder mild-hybrid and is topped by a 268bhp plug-in hybrid with 75 miles of engine-off range, double that of the car it replaces. With that top spec powertrain, the Q3 is priced at £45,800.

The Q3 is also offered with a £40,000 148bhp diesel which, alongside the new A6, will be some of the final Audis to offer the fuel option.

What remains unclear is the future of the hot RS Q3 variant. The previous generation used the Audi RS3’s 394bhp turbo fi ve-pot, but Autocar understands that engine will soon be retired (in part down to increasingly stringent emission regulations) and Audi is increasingly pushing towards EVs.

A free webinar will delve into how software is defining the future of automotive - and you can sign up here now.

As its role in vehicle development and functionality becomes ever-more important, there are huge questions over what software means for how we use our cars - and what the future holds.

Hosted by Autocar and technology giant Siemens, the webinar on 25 June will look at answeing question such as how can manufacturers upgrade cars post-purchase? Does your car have untapped technological potential built in already? What is a software-defined vehicle? and more.

Siemens is a technology leader with a significant influence on the mobility sphere so is well placed to help answer those questions and reveal the full potential of software in this space.

Join Siemens head of automotive, battery and mobility Uday Senapati, Volvo Cars software engineering boss Alwin Bakkenes, Autocar deputy editor Felix Page and another special industry guest – to be announced in the coming weeks – for an insightful and interactive deep-dive into the world of automotive software.

Mark Tisshaw, Autocar editor, said: “Throughout our collaboration with Siemens, it has become clear just how deeply connected the company is to the automotive industry and how influential its relationships are at every level.

“We are thrilled to partner with Siemens to tell the stories of the industry's most impressive individuals and companies at this year's Autocar Awards ceremony and to hear how the company's insights and expertise are shaping the future of the car in our upcoming webinar.”

The webinar will be broadcast live on Wednesday 25 June from 14:00-15:00, with the opportunity to put questions to our expert guests.

As part of the collaboration, Siemens has been named as the sponsor of the 2025 Autocar Awards, which will celebrate the people and organisations shaping the future of automotive - as well as the best cars on sale.

This year's awards ceremony takes place on 24 June, where Autocar and Siemens will name the industry's most innovative and impactful individuals, and provide a platform for them to tell their stories. 

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Meet the panellists 

Uday Senapati

As head of automotive, battery and mobility for the EMEA region at Siemens Advanta, Uday is helping to expand the company's portfolio f consulting and implementation services for the e-mbobility industry. 

Having worked at General Motors, JLR, Bentley and Group Lotus, he has a wealth of automotive experience that he will leverage in his efforts to establish Siemens as a leading consulting and integration partner for the increasing number of businesses making a strategy shift towards electric mobility. 

Alwin Bakkenes

Alwin is head of software engineering and R&D at Volvo Cars. He leads the team responsible for development of the technology stack at the heart of Volvo's in-car systems and wider user experience.

He has experience in product strategy and programme execution that helps guide Volvo's development of next-level safety technology - working towards autonomy and a software-defined platform.