Audi has a new EV coming that’s ‘something in between’ the TT and R8
It’s not the TT or R8, but Audi is promising its new EV will be “something in between” the two icons. Here’s what we know about the upcoming electric sports car.
Audi is launching a new EV that’s between the TT and R8
Audi is preparing for a drastic brand overhaul as the German sports car maker searches for a spark. According to Audi’s CEO, Gernot Döllner, it will start with a new electric sports car.
Speaking with German media outlet Bild, Döllner called the new EV Audi’s “TT Moment 2.0.” The TT became a design beacon for Audi, serving as an affordable coupe positioned below the R8.
Audi’s boss confirmed that the company will reveal the new EV for the first time in September, ahead of the Munich Motor Show.
Although it will debut as a concept, Döllner promised, “the car will be built,” saying it will launch two years from now.
Audi is keeping most details secret, but the upcoming electric sports car is expected to be a cornerstone of the luxury brand’s comeback. It’s also likely to arrive with more performance than the outgoing TT with an all-electric powertrain.
It’s “not a TT, not an R8, but something in between,” Döllner explained, adding it will be “a highly emotional sports car.”
As the German sports car maker struggles to keep pace with the industry’s shift to electric, Audi’s CEO warned, “I don’t want to beat around the bush; we have to get back on track now.” The new EV will serve as “an identity builder” as Audi looks to get back in the game.
This is not the first time we’ve heard of Audi planning to launch an electric sports car to serve as a successor to the TT.
Last year, company spokesperson Daniel Shuster told Autocar that Audi was “taking a blank sheet of paper to see what is the right ‘icon.’” He said developing the new EV was a “huge job” as Audi didn’t want to lose existing customers.”
Like the Q6 e-tron and the electric Macan, which ride on the same PPE platform, you can expect the new sports car to share components with the upcoming Porsche 718 EV.
Will it live up to its name and spark a new identity as Audi’s CEO promises? We will get our first look at Audi’s new electric sports car in a little over a month.
Source: Car and Driver, Bild
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With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.
CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.
The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.
Yet another Chinese auto blogger, 苏黎世贝勒爷, claims that Ferrari representatives visited Xiaomi headquarters last year, allegedly to discuss the joint development of next-generation high-performance EV motors.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.
The new electric benchmark
In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.
If Ferrari really did buy an SU7 to benchmark it against their own upcoming electric supercar, it’s more than just a curiosity – it could mean that the highest tiers of automotive innovation have shifted from West to East. Maybe forever.
Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.
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We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.
Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”
Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.
Electrek’s take
GM has done an incredible job keeping the 2027 Bolt under wraps. It will be the first GM vehicle with a native NACS port after the Cadillac Optiq-V, which we spied in Seattle last week.
Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.
I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.
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On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.
Plus: Quick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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