It’s becoming increasingly clear that the automotive industry’s “electric only” dream is a work in progress. Audi, the latest brand to rethink its approach to a purely EV future, has announced that it will keep offering combustion engine models for longer than initially planned, as the market isn’t quite ready for a world of only battery-powered vehicles just yet.

More: Audi Slashing Thousands Of Jobs In Germany

During Audi’s Annual Media Conference for 2025, CEO Gernot Döllner had this to say: “As part of our product initiative, we are not only launching new electric models, but also a new generation of combustion engine vehicles and plug-in hybrids. We will manage the production of our last combustion engine vehicles depending on various developments in world markets.”

New Plans, Same Old Combustion Engines

Audi had previously said that the next-generation Q7 would be its last combustion engine model, coinciding with the end of ICE development in 2026. The plan was to keep these vehicles on the market until around 2032, at which point Audi would go fully electric. But now, Döllner has thrown a wrench into that timeline.

Following the example of competitors like BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo, Audi will delay its shift to a purely electric lineup. This move makes sense, especially when you consider that Porsche is still planning to churn out ICE models well into the 2030s.

PHEVs Are Here to Stay, For Now

At the same conference, Döllner also teased upcoming model launches for 2025: “We are in the process of rejuvenating our entire model range, and by the end of the year we will have the youngest portfolio in our market segments.”

Döllner confirmed that the new generation of the Q3 will arrive this summer, following the recent launch of the new A6 in Avant form. He also announced that a plug-in hybrid version of the A5 will debut on March 25 as one of the 10 new PHEVs set to be introduced this year. He described PHEVs as “a central part of our portfolio as we move towards an all-electric range,” suggesting that Audi will place greater emphasis on these types of powertrains.

More: Audi Wants To Climb The Luxury Ladder Without Stepping On Bentley’s Toes

In North America, Audi will launch 10 new models by the end of 2025 and is “currently assessing various scenarios for additional localization” as a way of dealing with the US administration’s new tariffs. As for the Chinese market, it has “further intensified” its product strategy with FAW and SAIC, hoping to “participate in the growth of the electric car market” as its execs believe they are already a “strong player in the combustion engine business”.

Of course, Audi isn’t delusional about the challenges ahead. CFO Jürgen Rittersberger described 2025 as a “very challenging year” for the brand, citing the “tense geopolitical and economic situation” of 2024. Still, he believes in the prospects of their renewed portfolio, as new models are now “successively reaching the markets”.

It’s been almost eight months since the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron was unveiled in Europe, and now we get to find out the range and pricing details for the US market. Going head-to-head with the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE, the new A6 e-tron will be sold exclusively in Sportback guise, meaning the Avant version will remain forbidden fruit.

Sitting at the base of the range is the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, starting from $65,900 for the Premium trim level, excluding a $1,295 destination and delivery fee. The base model is also available in Premium Plus ($69,800), and Prestige ($72,200) guises. Upgrades enjoyed by the Premium Plus and Prestige models include LED headlights with digital DRLs and interior ambient lighting. The Prestige also adds eight different light signatures and adaptive air suspension.

Read: 5 Things You Need To Know About The New Audi A6 Avant

Driving the base version is a 100 kWh (94.4 kWh net) battery driving a single electric motor at the rear with 375 hp. The cheapest i5 in the US is the eDrive40 model, punching out 335 hp and starting at $67,100. The Mercedes-Benz EQE is substantially pricier, starting at $74,900 for the EQE 350+ Sedan with just 288 hp.

The A6 Sportback e-tron range also includes the standard Quattro model. This model has the same battery pack, but features two electric motors, combining to pump out 456 hp. Prices start at $67,900 for the Premium, $71,800 for the Premium Plus, and $74,200 for the Prestige. The closest comparable i5 is the xDrive40, but it makes do with only 389 hp and starts at $70,100. Prices for the EQE 500 4Matic with its 402 hp start at $85,900.

Sitting at the top of the range is the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron. It delivers an impressive 543 hp and is available from $78,700 for the Premium, $82,200 for the Premium Plus, and $84,600 for the Prestige. All S6 versions come with sport adaptive air suspension and Prestige models include digital OLED taillights not found elsewhere in the range.

The base A6 Sportback e-tron has a quoted range of 392 miles (631 km) while the Quattro version with its added performance offers 377 miles (607 km) of range when fitted with the ultra package, which includes 19-inch wheels and all-season tires. The S6 Sportback e-tron has a quoted range of 324 miles (521 km). All models have an 800-volt system and support charging speeds of up to 270 kW, meaning the battery can be topped up from 10-80% in 21 minutes.