Audi A4 e-tron delayed to 2029 as next-gen A4 range expands
Audi’s next-generation A4 will return as both a saloon and Avant, but the all-electric A4 e-tron has been pushed back to 2029 due to SSP platform delays.
Audi’s plans for the next-generation A4 have shifted again, with the all-electric A4 e-tron now postponed until at least 2029. The combustion-engined A4 will return to the line-up, replacing the A5 name for saloon and estate models, but the brand’s long-awaited electric mid-sizer faces a substantial delay as Volkswagen Group struggles to bring its new SSP electric architecture to market.
Electric A4 e-tron faces three-year delay
Audi had previously targeted a 2026 launch for the A4 e-tron, intended as a direct rival to the forthcoming BMW i3 saloon and the next-generation all-electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, sources now confirm that production will not begin until at least March 2029, with some insiders suggesting a later start is possible. This leaves Audi without a direct electric competitor in the segment for up to three years, widening the gap to its German rivals.
The delay is rooted in ongoing problems with the Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), the modular electric vehicle architecture set to underpin a new generation of models across the group. SSP was first announced in 2021, with initial projections for a 2026 debut. The A4 e-tron is expected to be the first Audi to use the platform, but technical issues, protracted internal debates over technical leadership, and cost-cutting pressures have all contributed to the revised timeline.
Naming strategy and model expansion
The next-generation A4 range will see Audi revert to its traditional naming, abandoning the recent strategy that assigned odd numbers to combustion models and even numbers to electric cars. The A5 badge, which temporarily replaced the A4 for combustion-powered saloons and estates, will be retired. The A4 name returns for both bodystyles, regardless of drivetrain, clarifying a model line that had become confusing for customers and dealers alike.
Both saloon and Avant estate versions will be offered. The A4 e-tron, when it finally arrives, is expected to mirror this approach, providing a direct electric alternative in both bodystyles. The delay means Audi will continue to rely on existing MEB and PPE platforms for its other electric models, including the Q4 e-tron and A6 e-tron, until SSP is ready for production.
Simplified SSP platform and supplier impact
The SSP platform, originally conceived with eight variants, will now be offered in just four, with a higher proportion of shared components across group brands. This simplification is intended to reduce complexity and costs, but it also means a longer wait for new electric models. Audi’s push for a 48-volt electrical system on SSP, instead of the group’s traditional 12-volt standard, could pose challenges for suppliers, many of whom are yet to adapt to the higher voltage requirements.
- SSP supports 400V (front-wheel drive) and 800V (rear/all-wheel drive) configurations.
- Zonal E/E architecture will centralise vehicle functions for software-defined vehicles.
- LFP batteries and range-extender options are planned for future SSP models.
Internal debate continues over who will set the technical direction for SSP. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner is reportedly positioning himself for a newly created Group CTO role, but there is no resolution yet. Until the platform is ready, Audi’s electric ambitions in the mid-size segment will remain on hold.
For more on Audi’s evolving model strategy, seeNo Next Audi RS4.
