After three decades on the market, Audi last year appeared to bid farewell to the A4. The reasoning seemed straightforward: the brand from Ingolstadt had decided to reserve even numbers for electric models and odd numbers for combustion-engine cars. As a result, the final A4 (B9) was followed by the current A5. That, however, will not be the end of the story. Audi has now confirmed that the A4 nameplate will return—this time as a fully electric model—although patience will be required.
Earlier this year, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner publicly confirmed plans for an all-electric A4, while also acknowledging past strategic missteps at the company. Although he did not disclose technical specifications, Döllner described the project as part of the most profound transformation in Audi’s history. Central to this shift is the Concept C study, which is intended to preview the brand’s future direction.
The upcoming A4 will be built on the Volkswagen Group’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). Originally scheduled to debut in 2026, the architecture was delayed due to software-related issues. The first production vehicle based on SSP is now expected toward the end of 2027, with additional models rolling out in 2028. The electric A4 is among those planned vehicles, though many details remain undisclosed.
Despite earlier naming conventions, Audi has decided to revive the A4 designation. This will mark a return after a hiatus of four to five years. First introduced in 1994, the A4 went through five generations, with the most recent launching in 2016. Confusion around Audi’s numbering strategy persists, however. The former distinction between electric and combustion models has already been abandoned with the A6, which now carries the same name regardless of drivetrain. Whether Audi will apply the same logic to future A4 and A5 models remains unclear.
Design-wise, the recently unveiled Concept C has generated considerable attention and is widely seen as a stylistic preview of what is to come. Although the concept is a two-door sports car, key elements—such as sharply defined body lines and a more vertically oriented front end—are expected to influence upcoming production models, potentially including the A4.
Inside, the concept adopts an extremely minimalist approach, featuring a single driver-focused display, touch-sensitive climate controls integrated into the dashboard, and a row of physical buttons between the seats. While this radical simplicity is unlikely to be carried over unchanged, it offers a glimpse into Audi’s evolving interior philosophy.
Technically, the SSP platform is designed primarily for electric vehicles and supports 800-volt charging technology. It can also accommodate combustion engines acting as range extenders, though Audi has so far emphasized the A4’s role as a pure electric model. In theory, the platform allows outputs of up to 1,250 kW (around 1,700 horsepower), though such figures are clearly unrealistic for a mid-size sedan.
More plausible are single- or dual-motor configurations, potentially offering all-wheel drive and outputs in the 400 to 500 horsepower range. Should Audi decide to develop an electric RS 4 variant, power levels of 700 horsepower or more are not out of the question. Battery specifications, however, have yet to be confirmed.
A debut is not imminent. With the underlying platform only entering production toward the end of the decade, a market launch before 2028 is considered unlikely.
Pricing will likely align with electric mid-size offerings from other German premium manufacturers. Both Mercedes-Benz’s electric C-Class and BMW’s Neue Klasse i3 are expected to arrive ahead of the Audi. As a point of reference, BMW’s new electric iX3 starts at €68,900 with 345 kW (470 horsepower). By comparison, the current combustion-powered A5 starts at €46,900, while the Q4 E-Tron electric SUV is priced from €46,150.
Taken together, the return of the A4 underscores Audi’s intent to re-establish one of its most important nameplates in the electric era—albeit on a longer timeline than originally anticipated.
Source: motor1