It’s been nearly three years since Audi’s former design chief hinted at a potential competitor to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. While the off-road icon continues to enjoy strong sales, Audi has yet to offer a competing model.
That may change soon. Although little has happened since 2023, Audi boss Gernot Dollner said recently Autocar Not to “give up on that dream” of the brand’s rugged SUV. Although Döllner has discussed simplification Audi lineup, that doesn’t mean it will eliminate niche models.
He told the publication:
“It works perfectly to have a more focused assortment in the centre, and in addition to that it has some niche models to build the brand and also transfer new ideas from a niche segment to the core products.” This works perfectly and is part of our strategy.
Such a model would serve as a flagship and allow Audi to showcase new technology, while competing in a popular and profitable segment.
Back in 2023, when Marc Licht said “There is spaceFor such a model, he added, the SUV, which was supposed to be electric, would not look like the G-Class or Land Rover Defender. It will be “something else”.
That other thing could be a scout-based offering, and Audi could use it for more than just its bare bones. The tariffs approved by US President Donald Trump pose a problem for Audi, which manufactures its cars outside the country.
An Audi based on the Scout could allow the automaker to build its own vehicle G-Class A competitor here in America, avoiding tariffs, but nothing has been decided yet. According to Dollner, the issue is whether or not Audi should have a dedicated factory in the US, a decision that “depends on how compatible we are with the US government.”
Either way, Dollner says we should “stay in touch.”
