Audi has delayed the launch of its first mass-market electric midsize sedan, the A4 e-tron, to 2029, with production potentially starting in March at the earliest. The latest delay follows CEO Gernot Döllner’s decision to redesign the car around a 48-volt electrical architecture instead of the 12-volt setup originally outlined for Volkswagen Group’s SSP platform.
Why the Audi A4 e-tron Was Delayed
The architecture change has affected Audi’s supply chain because suppliers must retool components to meet the new electrical standard. That has pushed an already delayed program further behind its previous schedule.
The report, published by Handelsblatt, leaves BMW’s i3 NA0 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ competing in the premium four-door electric segment without direct competition from Audi for several more years.
The extended timeline gives BMW and Mercedes more time to establish their electric sedans while buyers continue to choose between the two before the A4 e-tron arrives.
BMW Gets More Time With Its Electric Sedans
By 2029, BMW will have spent six years developing its electric sedan lineup. The i4 Gran Coupé G26, launched in 2021, will be nearing the end of its lifecycle and will be followed by a rumored i4 Coupe.
BMW will also launch the i3 Touring NA1 next year. The model is expected to attract interest from corporate fleet buyers and practical owners who prefer a hatchback over a sedan.
Mercedes does not offer a station wagon version of its electric C-Class because the brand chose not to build one, leaving the i3 Touring practically unopposed in that body style.
By the time the Audi A4 e-tron reaches showrooms, BMW’s i3 NA0 will already have received its LCI, or Life Cycle Impulse, BMW’s term for a mid-cycle refresh. A refreshed i3 in 2029 could feature updated sheet metal, new cabin technology and potentially stronger battery options.
Why Audi Chose a 48-Volt Architecture
Although the decision has delayed the A4 e-tron, the move to a 48-volt architecture is intended to provide greater flexibility for the platform over the long term.
The additional electrical bandwidth could support future autonomous features, advanced climate systems and powertrain configurations that a 12-volt standard cannot support. Döllner’s team is betting that the higher performance ceiling created by the new architecture will justify the additional three years of waiting.
Audi Faces Pressure in the Electric SUV Market
Audi still has the Q6 e-tron in the midsize electric SUV segment, where it competes with BMW’s iX3 NA5 and Mercedes’s GLC EQ.
Measurements indicate that the Q6 trails its Munich and Stuttgart rivals in range and charging speed, two areas that rank highly on buyer priority lists.
BMW’s iX3 has already moved to a three-shift production schedule at its Debrecen plant to meet demand. The upcoming iX4 NA7, launching later this year, is also expected to have captured market share before Audi’s electric sedan arrives.
BMW’s Electric Range Continues to Grow
BMW’s eDrive Gen6 architecture, used by the i3 and iX3, is already reaching 912 km (567 miles) of WLTP-estimated range.
The long-wheelbase i3 designed for Chinese customers achieves more than 1,000 km (621 miles) under that market’s CLTC testing protocol.
Further incremental improvements are expected across the next three years. One potential approach would be a single-motor Long Range variant combining a larger battery with fewer driven wheels, trading performance for endurance.
Audi A4 e-tron Faces a More Advanced BMW Lineup
By the time the A4 e-tron launches, BMW could already be preparing a third-generation i3 refresh or a second-generation iX3.
The delayed Audi sedan therefore faces a market in which its competitors will have had additional time to develop their electric lineups. Audi’s decision to adopt the 48-volt architecture pushes its launch further into the future as the company works to advance its midsize electric offering.
