The Q6 e-tron will not be the only electric Audi model with a delayed launch

German media have been reporting in recent days on the difficult situation facing the four-ring brand as it transitions toward electric mobility. According to these outlets, the delay in the market launch of the Q6 e-tron is set to trigger a domino effect that will also postpone the sale of other new electric models from the brand.

As we recently reported here on HighMotor, Audi has once again pushed back the official unveiling of the Q6 e-tron by several months. It was due to take place before the end of this year but will now likely happen next spring. As a result, the first units of this electric SUV from the Ingolstadt firm are expected to reach European roads next summer. Almost two years later than the brand originally planned.

As mentioned, German media claim this delay will have a negative impact on Audi’s entire electric offensive in the short and medium term. Everything points to the next model affected being the A6 e-tron saloon, which was initially scheduled to reach the market in early 2024. That is almost certainly not going to happen. If there are no further delays, its presentation is now rumoured to take place around May, roughly two months after the Q6 e-tron. Audi will therefore arrive quite late in a market where its two main German rivals, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, already offer an alternative in the same segment: the EQE and i5 saloons respectively.

Electrification is proving a struggle for Audi

But the problems don’t end there. Apparently, the company’s management is engaged in heated discussions about the successor to the current Q8. Audi plans to offer an e-tron version of its high-end SUV based on the new PPE platform, co-developed by Audi and Porsche. Initially, back in 2021, the company suggested that a new generation of the Q8 would appear in 2026, but now it seems it could be much later.

Some problems in developing the new Q8 generation, probably linked to software and certain mechanical components, led the company to cancel the project. Now, Audi’s management appears to have decided that the best option is to redesign the vehicle from scratch, so that it can also serve as the basis for a new Volkswagen SUV. It remains to be seen how many years of delay this change of plans will ultimately cause.