VW May Ditch Audi As Its Flagship Technology Development Brand

And Ford could take Audi’s place? Seriously?

We’ve been hearing rumors for the past few weeks about a potential partnership between Volkswagen Group and Ford, specifically in regards to electric vehicle platform development. While neither automaker has yet to officially comment, something is definitely about to happen. Up until now, Audi has served as VW Group’s technology development star brand but that may soon chance when VW CEO Herbert Diess announces the automaker’s 10-year plan later this month, according to a report from Reuters.

Diess is expected to reveal major cost cutting measures by working with rivals, such as Ford, on numerous projects, such as EV platforms. Doing so, however, would actually sideline Audi as the German automaker’s main R&D center.

This potential alliance with Ford is a big deal for the company because VW has proudly done things in-house for decades. Audi has been an engineering hub of sorts whose technological developments were spread out through all of VW’s many brands. But times are changing. For example, VW spent $13.1 billion last year on EV and autonomous vehicle development. Why not split those costs with a rival who shares common ground?

Ford is also looking at ways to drastically cut costs, especially since its earnings have not been stellar as of late. There are many possible ways this VW-Ford partnership can work and it’s easy to see why Audi is expected to be pushed aside somewhat.

For example, Ford could supply VW with a truck platform and even some engines. VW may even buy a stake in Ford’s autonomous vehicle program and also give it access to its MEB electric car multi-use platform. Why have Audi spearhead development of an autonomous vehicle program costing billions when Ford is already further along and, at the same time, could also benefit from VW? Basically, both VW and Ford understand major changes are already beginning to happen in the auto industry, so it’s smart to make these partnerships from positions of relative strength.

While the new Audi A8 does have some advanced self-driving features, VW’s overall efforts for a fully autonomous car have fallen behind rivals, such as Waymo. Diess does not want to see VW lose its edge in the coming decade so making radical changes, such as sidelining Audi for a technical partership with Ford, is a key way to ensure its long-term health.

Flagship Audi Q8 Officially Teased For The First Time

Looks like the Audi Q8 could break cover sooner than expected.

In the next couple of years, Audi’s SUV line-up will expand with the introduction of two all-new Q models: the compact Q4 and the new flagship Q8. The automaker has already confirmed the latter will be revealed this year, but a mysterious teaser image posted on Audi’s Facebook page has given us our first official look at the upcoming Q8. Images preview the Q8’s sporty silhouette with the caption: "He carries the gene of the #Audi #Urquattro." Audi went on to say the crossover sports a “new face with luxury class prestige engraved into every detail.”

That doesn’t give us much to go on, but the teasers show the Q8 will have a wide Singleframe grille, a sleek shape and a sloping roofline. It also appears to have muscular rear fenders, large alloy wheels and slim taillights. Expect the final production model to share similarities with the Q8 concept shown last year. Audi hasn’t revealed much about the Q8 so far, but we already know it will share its underpinnings with the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, and Touareg, which all ride on Volkswagen’s MLBevo platform. Audi’s new flagship SUV is expected to have the same engine options as the Q7, so expect a base model packing a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 hp on tap.

There will also likely be a more powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 model with 355 hp. Given Audi’s focus on electrification, a plug-in hybrid version is also likely to join the line-up. More powerful S Q8 and RS Q8 variants are also expected, with the latter rumored to be powered by a Porsche-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. While Audi has previously said the Q8 won't break cover until June, these teasers suggest it could debut at the Beijing Auto Show this week so watch this space.