There once was a time when car names and variants were based on engine displacement. The Germans, in particular, were fond of doing this back in the day. The BMW 525i, for instance, let the world know that it had a 2.5-liter gasoline mill under the hood.
But that was then. Today’s cars have ditched this system for some reason, most likely due to shrinking engine sizes that may seem inferior to the uninitiated. Audi seeks to revive a similar system as it announces a new nomenclature that is set to be implemented soon.
The new naming system will adopt a two-digit designation that will represent the vehicle’s power output bracket. While the current model range designations of A1 all the way through to Q7 will stay, Audi will be adding two numerals together with letters that represent the vehicle’s energy source or fuel type (TFSI, TDI, g-tron, or e-tron).
The new system will begin with the numeral combination 30, which represent cars with horsepower ratings ranging from 110 to 131hp. Then there is 45, for vehicles with 230 to 252 horses. At the top of the heap is the numeral 70. This one is reserved for models that produce over 544hp. The spectrum will range from 30 to 70 and will be separated by increments of five (5).
In more concrete terms, an Audi Allroad quattro with a gasoline motor producing 252hp will thus be designated Audi A4 45 allroad quattro TFSI. Or something like that.
While it may seem confusing at first, Audi assures that it is meant to organize its model range and lessen the confusion of most customers. The new Audi naming system is set to debut on the upcoming next-generation Audi A8 that is set for delivery in the fourth quarter of this year. The A8 3.0 TDI with 281hp will be known as the A8 50 TDI, while the 3.0 TFSI with 341hp will be called the A8 55 TFSI.
The rest of the Audi model range will follow suit in 2018.
