Here’s Why Audi’s Developing Landjet as Yet Another Model S Rival
Tesla Model S will have its work cut out once Audi’s Landjet model makes its debut in 2024.
The Model S sedan is the reason why Tesla is the world’s most valuable automaker today. Ever since its introduction, car manufacturers around the world have been trying their hardest to dethrone Model S as a segment leader so that they too may get a piece of the premium EV segment. According to a recent report, Audi is currently working on its Artemis project to develop a new rival for Tesla’s flagship sedan, and we are trying to make sense of this decision.
For the uninitiated, Tesla Model S is currently available in three variants with prices ranging from $67,920 to $138,490 (excluding potential savings). So you see, Audi already has a competitor for the Model S and it is called the e-tron Sportback which is priced reasonably at $69,100. The Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer will also launch its RS e-tron GT model next year which has been designed to take on the Plaid variants of Model S.
So why is Audi risking cannibalizing the sales of its modest EV portfolio? To understand this, we must take a closer look at the Artemis project.
The report claims that Artemis is responsible for developing three vehicles under the codename Landjet. These models are going to be manufactured out of Volkswagen’s Hanover plant, and VW group’s other subsidiaries like Bentley and Porsche will also get their very own badge-engineered versions of the upcoming electric sedan.
As per recent market trends, Tesla’s lineup is attracting buyers from performance and premium car segments, and Audi concedes that the Californian EV manufacturer is now one of its top rivals. So to compete with the next-generation Model S, Audi needs a revolutionary product. So far, Audi has not divulged any information regarding the specifications of its Landjet sedan, but we expect to find the company’s PPE (Premium Platform Electric) EV Architecture underpinning the new EV.
The PPE platform is currently being co-developed by Audi and Porsche and the official word is that it will eventually offer an 800-volt architecture similar to the J1 platform that currently underpins Porsche Taycan. So. you can expect Landjet models to come equipped with 350 KW charging capability that will allow customers to recharge their depleted battery pack up to 80% capacity in around 20 minutes.
Volkswagen has also announced that it will be investing around $32 billion to support its in-house software development. So we also expect to find a sophisticated semi-autonomous driving software feature to debut in the Landjet models.
Having considered these factors, we reckon cost savings is the only reason why Audi has agreed to develop yet another Model S rival. Right now, both Audi e-tron Sportback and Porsche Taycan use different EV platforms and by sharing a common vehicle architecture, the VW group will be able to offer better features at a competitive price. So it would seem that Model S will have its work cut out once Audi’s Landjet model makes its debut in 2024.
Source: Audi, Handelsblatt via Motor Authority
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