Porsche And Audi Join Forces To Develop Next-Gen Electric Cars

Audi and Porsche have announced plans to collaborate on a shared electric car platform that both companies hope will take their cars into true next-generation territory.

The new cars spawned from the project will have new levels of electrification, digitalisation and autonomy, according to the plans, although it’s not yet clear just what degree of parts-sharing will be involved. Porsche chairman Oliver Blume has hinted at distinct separation between the end products. He is quoted by Auto Express as saying:

“A Porsche is always a Porsche, and that will remain so in the future.”

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler affirmed that the partnership should be mutually beneficial, saying:

“The best brains of both companies will together set the technical course for the future. We are united by many shared values: above all, by our pursuit of the best solutions and the best offerings for our customers.”

According to the report, the two most prestigious of the Volkswagen Group’s mainstream brands are specifically targeting ‘large electric vehicles’, hinting at fully-electric replacements for the A6, A7, A8 and Panamera, plus the Q7 and Cayenne.

Plans have been drawn up that tie the two marques’ developmental paths together until 2025, by which time both brands expect to have more than a few electric and heavily electrified hybrids on sale. At the same time, each brand will be free to carry on its own business across its other model ranges.

As the Group’s leaders in propulsion and technology, Audi and Porsche are also likely to be making paths down which Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat can follow. Starting with large cars is likely to allow room for miniaturisation further down the line, which could make for an interesting next 20 years or so.