The trend of global automotive electrification is unstoppable, which has become an indisputable fact.
The keywords "electrification" and "carbon neutrality" appear very frequently in 2021, reflecting the beginning of a major transformation of the global automotive industry. From the strategic release of major car companies, to the launch of new products at major auto shows, and even the direct embodiment of sales, we can clearly find that the sustainable, low-carbon and green electrification process has become the absolute "main theme" of the development of the automotive industry. As a leader in the field of luxury brand segmentation, FAW-Volkswagen Audi is also "interlocking" in the process of electrification.
Audi Combo Punch "all in e-tron"
In fact, not only Audi, in the entire luxury segment, many brands have also begun to vigorously develop electrification, but unlike other luxury brands, others are doing addition, and Audi is doing multiplication. Audi's brand strategy in the development of electrification is "all in e-tron". Audi plans to invest nearly 35 billion euros in technology, electric mobility and products by 2025, of which electric models will reach a total of about 30 models; from 2026, Audi will only launch pure electric models; by 2033, Audi will gradually and completely phase out fuel vehicles.
The task is arduous, how to achieve it? Under the guidance of the "all in e-tron" strategy, FAW-Volkswagen Audi will achieve true "interlocking" in terms of manufacturing system, technical reserves, service reserves, product layout, etc., and transform from a traditional automobile manufacturer to a high-end mobility service provider in the new energy era.
One link: manufacturing system
First of all, in terms of manufacturing system, FAW-Volkswagen Audi has a perfect electrified manufacturing ecology and the Seiko quality that the Ashkenazi brand has always been proud of. Prior to this, the FAW-Volkswagen Changchun battery plant alone had invested more than 700 million yuan. After that, Audi also plans to invest more than 30 billion yuan in the first phase of ppe's Changchun plant, and the aforementioned investment of 35 billion euros in 2025 will also be widely used in the manufacturing and research and development system.
In addition, FAW-Volkswagen Audi's Foshan MEB smart factory has also been launched, its total annual production capacity of more than 600,000 vehicles, as a smart factory designed for electric, Foshan MEB battery workshop using IVCC high-speed riveting technology, contrast-free online measurement technology, visual guidance system and other advanced technologies, in the safety and reliability of batteries and other aspects have a very high achievement.
On the other hand, Audi will also focus on creating a "trinity" intelligent digital manufacturing system, that is, a global, digital and localized development plan. Among them, in terms of globalization, Audi will achieve global integration and collaborative research and development in the three aspects of three electric technologies, electrical architecture, and software ecology, so as to better realize resource integration and technology sharing; in terms of digitalization, Audi has 2 digital production bases and 1 digital battery factory in Changchun + Foshan, and will continue to increase investment in this area in the future; in terms of localization, Audi will provide a variety of exclusive Chinese market localization tests, including a number of Audi's unique exclusive battery safety tests. China's 300-day/equivalent 600,000-kilometer road test, as well as luxury perception tests in areas such as quality and NVH.
Second ring: technical reserves
Under the support of a huge manufacturing system, Audi's high-end electric technology layout is also the industry's leading. Up to now, Audi already has the MLB evo comprehensive modular electric model platform with the strongest expansion ability of luxury brands (representative models: Audi e-tron/Audi e-tron Sportback), MEB entry-level electric model platform supporting 125kWh battery size and front and rear dual motor layout (representative model: Audi Q4 e-tron), and a high-end PPE high-end electric vehicle platform that integrates high technology and high expansion (a high-end electric vehicle platform created in cooperation with Porsche) 3. The J1 high-performance electric vehicle platform (representative model: Audi e-tron GT) that meets the full-size/flagship market segments is the four major technology platforms, covering all levels of market segments, and is currently the brand with the most electric platforms in the industry. Thanks to this, Audi will realize the electrification of the product matrix and seamless switching.
On the other hand, Audi currently has four major electrification technologies: core three-electric technology, intelligent interconnection technology, top driving technology, and automatic driving technology. Among them, in the most important core three electric technology, Audi e-tron will use a global standard unified battery cell in the future, which not only has a good guarantee of safety, but also can more conveniently and flexibly match different battery types, greatly improving production efficiency. In addition, Audi's induction asynchronous motor and permanent magnet synchronous motor can also improve energy efficiency and power density, while the e-quattro electric four-wheel drive system also greatly improves the handling and safety of the vehicle. Audi's new electronic control technology can even ensure that after eight years of operation or 160,000 kilometers, the battery can still maintain at least 70% of the capacity.
Third Ring: Service Reserve
In order to solve the pain points of users, Audi's current charging pile network has covered 300 cities, a total of 220,000 public charging piles, while Audi also cooperates with CAMS charging service providers, in addition to having a rich charging network, it can also realize services such as appointment charging and door-to-door charging.
In terms of pre-purchase and post-use of cars, FAW-Volkswagen Audi users can also enjoy exemption from purchase tax, free NEV green card, 8 years/120,000 km motor electronic control warranty, 8 years and 160,000 km battery warranty, battery recycling, 3 years unlimited road rescue, 3 years free Audi Connect service and other rights and interests, so that users can truly realize the worry-free purchase of cars.
Fourth ring: product layout
Under the empowerment of manufacturing, technology, service and other aspects, Audi's electrification products have also been comprehensively planned. In the future, Audi will mainly realize the "all in e-tron" product layout in two aspects: BEV pure electric models and PHEV plug-in hybrid models. Among them, the BEV pure electric model will rely on the MEB and PPE platforms to focus on creating mass-produced pure electric models, and the PHEV plug-in hybrid models will focus on creating plug-in hybrid models based on the MLB evo platform.
On top of this year's Guangzhou Motor Show, Audi's first MEB pure electric model Q4 e-tron has also been officially launched, which is also audi's first model to apply the "ABC" space concept, that is, the body size of the A+ SUV, the luggage compartment space of the B-class SUV, and the in-car seating space of the C-class SUV. In addition, thanks to the MEB pure electric platform design concept, the new car also has 18 high-quality upgrades in appearance and interior, supplemented by a digital intelligent cockpit created by the all-touch concept. In terms of power, the Q4 e-tron is equipped with an 84.1kWh long-endurance ternary lithium battery, providing dual-motor all-wheel drive and e-quattro, with a maximum cruising range of 550 kilometers, and it takes only 41 minutes to charge from 5% to 80%.
At the "Audi Future Ceremony" on the eve of the Guangzhou Motor Show, Audi also officially unveiled two highly concerned concept cars in the world, one of which is the Audi skysphere concept car with variable wheelbase technology, the new car has a luxurious sports modeling concept that pays tribute to the Horch 853, a total power of 465 kilowatts, a total torque of 750 Nm, L4 automatic driving, and a 25 cm variable shaft, etc., even the well-known director, driver Han Han, Olympic champion Ma Long are amazed.
Another model is the Audi Grandsphere concept car that defines the future of travel and creates a luxury first-class experience, the new car has a very broad space and vision, and under the blessing of L4 automatic driving technology, there is no accessory inside the new car, no screen, and only need to simulate hand movements to achieve point control. In addition, the new car also has 530 kW of power and 960 Nm of torque, as well as a range of more than 750 km, and its battery is charged from 5% to 80% in less than 25 minutes.
Detective Che has something to say
From the perspective of these trend-leading products, Audi's "all in e-tron" strategic layout has landed, as a century-old luxury brand, Audi has been playing the role of industry leader, under the trend of electrification, FAW-Volkswagen Audi through a strong manufacturing system, technology platform system, service system and other advantages, is bound to once again promote the overall business system to electrification upgrade jump.