Audi’s Cost-Saving Measures Could Jeopardize The TT’s And R8’s Future

Not only are traditional cars losing ground to crossovers and SUVs, but certain sports and super cars are not doing that well either, as customers are drawn to electrified models – and the trend is going nowhere but up.

As a result, automakers have started reshuffling their lineup, and besides chasing after the high-riding vehicle segments with as many models as possible, they are also venturing deeper into the electric game. Audi is a good example, as it has already announced its ‘Transformation Plan’, which aims to offer great savings, most of which will be redirected into other fields of activity.

In total, the German brand is looking to save up to €15 billion ($17.6 billion) before the end of 2022, out of which €12 billion ($14.1 billion) will be injected into the development of electric vehicles. Three years later, Audi will have invested €37 billion ($43.5 billion) in research and development, in addition to plants and equipment. The plan was initiated by the former head honcho, Bram Schot, who retired in April and was replaced by the ex-BMW chief Markus Duesmann.

Read Also: Audi TT Could Be Replaced By “eTTron” Electric Crossover

While they are doing nothing more than following the trend and trying to either keep up or stay a step ahead of the rest of the industry, the plan comes with a catch, as two of Audi’s driver’s cars, the TT and the R8, could be axed. According to Autocar, the future of the two models was previously under question and has come into focus again, as they could drop them altogether and reinvent them as fully electric cars.

“Cars like the TT and R8 were reviewed as part of a general cost-cutting process in the past”, an undisclosed source told the British publication. “However, they have now come under increased focus.”

Details surrounding the next-gen TT and R8 are unknown, but if they indeed decide to go ahead with this plan, then they will have the Volkswagen Group’s support, which will include a dedicated EV platform and several zero-emission powertrains and batteries. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds for them.