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Audi Announces €24 Billion Investment Plan, Promises More C and D Segment Models

A few days ago, Audi outlined a new 4-year investment plan. Through 2019, the Germans will invest €24 ($29.2 / £18.8) billion, 70% of which will go into new models.
RS3 Sedan 1 photo
Photo: Gabriel Brindusescu
Most of the release is a bunch of corporate talk that doesn't make sense to the average car buyer. But here's the most important bit that you need to read: "By the end of the year 2020, the Ingolstadt-based company intends to expand its model portfolio from 50 to 60 models. A main focus will be on new models in the C and D segments. Audi also intends to expand the successful Q family. As of 2016, for example, the new Audi Q1 will be produced in Ingolstadt."

Basically, most of the 10 new models they need to launch will be in those segments, which likely means the RS3 sedan and the TT RS are among them. C-segment SUVs are also extremely important and after launching a brand new Q3 in about three years, Audi may also use the same MQB platform to make a Q4 model or something along those lines.

As for the D segment, the A4 is not a new nameplate for them, but it's the one that takes up the biggest chunk of the cash. The whole range will have to be updated, starting with the regular sedan in 2015 and following that up with a twin-turbo V6 powered RS4.

Remember, Audi counts the S3, the S3 Sportback and the S3 Sedan as totally different models. So if they decide to launch an RS4 sedan, that will count as a new model as well, one which may sell well in America.

Audi also confirmed plans to launch a new generation of extremely economical combustion engines and "alternative efficiency technologies," though we don't yet know exactly what that means. Reading between the lines, we could guess that the company wants to be the best in the hydrogen-powered premium car market, but will only launch such a thing as soon as it is justified by the market and infrastructure.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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