Audi has reportedly postponed the launch of its electric A4 sedan by around a year, delaying the start of production at its main facility in Ingolstadt from 2028 to at least 2029.
The delay is reportedly attributed to the Volkswagen Group’s deteriorating financial position, software-related challenges surrounding the long-delayed Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), and Audi’s plans to implement substantial revisions to the vehicle’s underbody. The changes would affect a design that was initially intended to be shared across electric sedans based on the SSP architecture.
According to Autocar, Audi wanted the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) to retain the A4’s traditional seating position and cabin proportions. This included dedicated footwells for front and rear passengers rather than the fully flat floor commonly found in purpose-built electric vehicles.
The changes were intended to preserve the interior space, seating layout and overall cabin design associated with the A4. To achieve this, Audi requested a revised arrangement of the battery pack and other high-voltage components beneath the cabin. The report also said Audi specified a 48-volt onboard electrical system instead of the originally planned 12-volt setup, requiring further modifications to the vehicle’s electronics.
The electric A4 was initially slated for debut in 2028 as one of the first models based on the SSP architecture. Volkswagen Group first unveiled the platform in 2021 and had planned to begin production in 2026.
The changes come at a challenging time for Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen Group, which is scaling back its investment plans and taking measures to reduce financial losses. The upcoming Volkswagen ID. Golf, also based on the SSP architecture, has been delayed, leaving the brand reliant on its existing electric vehicle lineup for the latter of the decade.
Although Volkswagen Group’s new range of affordable EVs has recorded strong demand in Europe, financial pressures remain. Production capacity has struggled to keep pace with demand, while internal combustion engine vehicles continue to generate higher profit margins. This has created challenges for the automaker as it seeks to maintain factory operations while facing a gradual decline in the relevance of some models currently in production.
The first SSP-based production vehicles were originally scheduled to arrive in 2026. However, no production model based on the platform has entered assembly so far.
An Audi insider told Autocar that the structural revisions would add complexity at a time when Volkswagen Group is seeking to increase parts sharing across its brands. The challenges extend beyond the long-running software issues associated with the group’s former Cariad software division.
The electric A4 is widely regarded as Audi’s key contender in this segment. Its delay leaves the automaker without a direct competitor to models from its two German rivals, which are already in production or available on the market.
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