Earlier this week it was revealed Audi would name its model variants based on their output, but what they’ve come up with makes no sense at all.
GRANTED, MY BRAIN IS ONLY quite small and I never was very good at maths, but I’ve got no idea at all how to explain the way Audi will be naming its models going forward. When I started reading the announcement, I assumed it was going to follow the Volkswagen Group method of calling a model variant, say, the Skoda Kodiaq 132TSI… that makes sense. It means that variant is a 132kW petrol.
Only Audi has come up with its own sliding scale where it will use a bunch of numbers from between 30 and 50 to name its model variant. It says the numbers are based on horsepower, but I can’t see how.
For instance, “the numeral combination “30” will appear on the rear of all models with power outputs of between 81 and 96kW (110PS and 130PS). And “45” represents power outputs of between 169 and 185kW (230PS and 252PS). In each case the numerals appear along with the engine technology indicator – TFSI, TDI, g-tron or e-tron,” Audi said.
Huh? Double huh? Obviously, the idea is to keep some uniformity between variant numbering allowing for slight fluctuations in output from refresh to all-new model… or, at least I think that’s what it might mean.
To be honest, I’ve got absolutely no idea what the reason for this new naming structure is and why it’s been planned the way it has. I can only imagine that there were clearly a lot of key decision makers off with a cold on the day it was decided to throw out a naming structure that makes perfect sense for one that’s absolutely and totally confusing.
When I first saw the headline I too thought they would be following VWs lead….but this doesn’t make sense…then again, neither does BMW using numbers that no longer match up to the capacity of the engine…..