That’s because “Audi has the highest requirements when it comes to functionality”, said Döllner. In addition, the heightened efficiencies and reduced complexity brought by the new technology will tie into the German brand’s push for clearer and simpler operations.
“It’s 2028 when we’ll see [the Rivian software] in the market. We are heavily working on it with the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture, building up mules right now and working intensively together, so the fi rst cars are already on their way,” Döllner told Autocar.
He revealed that the technology will be introduced in a pair of all-new cars – “if you take a step like that, you do it in a new platform” – which will occupy different market segments.
“From there, we’ll roll it out from these two models, step by step, to the complete line-up,” said Döllner.
He gave no clues to what these first two models will be but said the Rivian stack will have significant implications for the production and capabilities of next-generation Audis.
“It means for us, first of all, reducing complexity,” he said. “In developing the car, we will have much leaner and faster processes in the way we develop the car.
“Over-the-air updates are an integral part of that strategy, so we are more flexible to add functionality or to fix things that are maybe imperfect, and it also helps us to focus our organisation: that software-defined architecture also brings complexity reduction.”
Concept C sets the tone
Audi’s development of a new software-defined family of vehicles comes as it renews its focus on traditional physical controls in pursuit of greater usability – as demonstrated by the new Concept C show car.
The two approaches would seem at odds with each other, but Döllner said digital and analogue elements “fit together perfectly”.
