The Ingolstadt automaker is seriously thinking about launching a battery-powered off-roader to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQG and the electric Land Rover Defender. Head of Design Marc Lichte said the executives had almost greenlit the project already, although the actual production may take four years to begin.
Lichte pointed out that the ‘premium electric off-roader’ segment of the market only had two models populating it, leaving plenty of room for a third entry. Filling in the gap would serve a dual purpose for Audi, which was also looking to expand into new market segments.
The proposed new SUV would have nothing in common with the Audi Sphere concept car trio shown in the gallery and the video below. Rather, the company plans to go for an all-new design based neither on the PPE architecture nor on the Ford-sourced VW Amarok chassis.
Volkswagen Group is currently working on a body-on-frame platform for its Scout EV lineup for the North America. In all likelihood, the production of these cars will take place at the Magna factory in Canada, the same location where they were designed. Perhaps VW Group will use the Scout platform for the G-Class competitor discussed above, too.
