Audi's smallest and most budget-friendly electric vehicle is set to arrive in 2026 | Carscoops

      The Audi A3 is set to gain a fully electric version, likely as a standalone model built on a dedicated EV platform.

      Audi's CEO has announced plans for a new entry-level EV to be added to the lineup.

      The unnamed vehicle will compete in the same segment as the Audi A3.

      Production for this new Audi will commence in Ingolstadt starting in 2026.

      Although Audi may have opted to extend the lifespan of internal combustion engines longer than previously anticipated, this will not affect the scheduled introduction of new electric vehicles. Among these will be an entry-level model akin to the ICE-powered Audi A3, anticipated to launch next year.

      This information was provided by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner in an interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Döllner characterized the forthcoming model as "an electric vehicle in the same class as the A3" and confirmed it will be manufactured in Ingolstadt, beginning in 2026.

      The current Audi A3 generation debuted in 2020, utilizing the MQB architecture, and received a mid-cycle facelift in 2024. Consequently, the upcoming (yet unnamed) EV, which may take on the A2 E-tron or A3 E-tron name, will be an independent model sold alongside the A3 rather than taking its place.

      The launch timing of this compact Audi suggests it might utilize the existing MEB platform, already employed by the Audi Q4 e-tron and the entire VW ID lineup. The new SSP platform tailored for electric vehicles is projected to arrive in 2028 or 2029, supporting the VW Golf Mk9 and future electric models like the VW T-Roc, Skoda Octavia, and Cupra Leon.

      The new Audi is likely to feature a five-door hatchback design, which is favored in Europe over four-door sedans. However, the option of a small crossover similar to the A3 AllStreet cannot be dismissed. The EV will probably showcase the latest design elements from the Ingolstadt brand along with advanced interior technology and competitive range specifications.

      The entry-level EV might correspond to Audi’s version of the forthcoming VW ID.2, expected to enter production in 2026. If this is accurate, its price will surpass that of the sub-€25,000 VW, reflecting the Audi brand's more premium positioning within the VW Group.

      In addition to the A3-sized EV, Audi’s CEO has also disclosed that the company will introduce a new model in China this April, developed locally in collaboration with SAIC.

      The German automaker is currently facing challenges due to slower than expected electric vehicle adoption, intense competition, and political uncertainties. Recently, it announced plans to cut 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 in a "socially responsible" manner.