Audi is preparing a compact electric car to succeed the A3

Markus Duesmann, head of Audi, noted at the annual press conference of the four-circle brand plan that the last model with a combustion engine will be presented in 2026: “We have set a path to go 100 percent electric.”

“By 2027, we aim to offer an all-electric vehicle in every major segment. We recently decided to launch another electric base model in the hierarchy below the Q4 e-tron.

Although he did not reveal any other details, the new model is expected to serve as a replacement for the A3 hatchback.

The new entry-level EV is expected to be offered as a four-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, Autocar Reports UK Citing unnamed sources within the automaker.

The model will likely be based on Volkswagen’s upcoming SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) architecture. The concern has stated in the past that the SSP platform will improve the parameters of the existing MEB platform and offer a range of up to 700 km.

The platform will also be able to charge a 270 kWh battery, allowing electric vehicles based on it to travel 129 kilometers in 10 minutes. Audi’s entry-level electric vehicle will benefit from new battery technology, but will also be compatible with solid-state batteries.

Duismann added that Audi plans to introduce 20 new models by 2025, more than half of which will be fully electric. The electric replacement for the Audi A3 is likely to follow the arrival of the Q6 e-tron, the first model also based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture for larger cars.