OLIVER HOFFMANN, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, AUDI

Other car makers have confirmed that they’re looking at more affordable, entry-level EVS. Would this work for Audi?

“For us, it doesn’t make sense to offer a car like the ID 2all, which Volkswagen has. We will instead offer an A-segment car, under the Q4. [It will be] comparable to the [current] A3. We will also increase our portfolio in the C and D segments. This is a clear vision for us.”

The R8 and TT will bow out this year. Is there space for replacements?

“There is space. We made a lot of concept work regarding a sports car follow-up, but there’s no decision yet. I think the [original 1998] TT was for our customers surprising, and we will surprise also in the future. We have a clear idea for C- and D-segment cars, and we will bring some surprising cars and models also in the future.”

So is it viable in the EV era to have an electric car the size of today’s TT? Will it work?

“This is exactly the point. To have a very compact sports car in the electric world with high range and with high performance is not that easy in terms of weight, packaging and driving behaviour, but we have some good concepts regarding this. Again, there’s no decision yet. But for us, it’s clear: our spearheads in the future will be electric cars.”

How will Quattro EVS differ from their ICE predecessors?

“With our ICE Quattros, there were [compromises] in terms of the architecture and the drivetrain in terms of mechatronics. With a fully electric drivetrain, you have a lot more possibilities to run the car in terms of functionalities in the software, especially to steer different tyres. But it was still very important for us to bring our Quattro DNA, driving behaviour and traction to the electric drivetrain.”