Vorsprung Durch Electrotechnik

What does Audi’s decision to halt internal combustion engine development mean for us performance car fans?

- Andy Enright

AUDI’S CEO MARKUS Duesmann announced last month that the company would cease research and development of ‘new’ internal combustion engines, though will continue to update its existing powerplant lineup.

Speaking to German news outlet Automobilewoche, he said “The EU plans for an even stricter Euro 7 emissions standard that is technically a huge challenge with little benefit for the environment at the same time. This extremely restricts the combustion engine.”

Audi confirmed it “will no longer develop a new internal combustion engine, but will adapt our existing internal combustion engines to new emission guidelines.” Audi has previously committed to offering 20 new electric models by 2025 but has yet to go all-in and commit to a similar strategy to Volvo, Jaguar and Bentley, who have all announced their intentions to go all-electric by 2030.