Audi and its Nomenclature:
Audi derives its name from the Latin translation of the last name of Audi’s founder August Horch. The Word “Horch”, means “Listen” in German; which translates to “Audi” in Latin. Audi has four partner companies, Audi, DKW, Horch & Wanderer. They represent the four rings of Audi’s logo. Audi Nomenclature uses a combination of an alpha-numeric system for naming its cars.
Audi has adopted the combination of Alpha-Numeric nomenclature for its models. The models use alphabets such as “A”, “Q” & “R” followed by a number – e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. What these nomenclatures really mean? Let’s have a look. Remember, as a thumb rule, Higher is the number – Bigger is the size of the car.
Audi Nomenclature for cars:
| Brand | Letters | Numbers | Car Type |
| Audi | A | 1 | A1 is a Hatchback. |
| A | 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 | A3 to A8 are 5 Door mid-size Sedan / Hatchbacks. | |
| Q | 3, 5, 7 | Q is a Crossover (SUV). | |
| R | 8 | R is a Roadster – Based on the “Audi Space Frame” platform similar to A8. | |
| RS | 4, 5, 7 | RS is a RennSport (Racing Sport) Coupe. 5 – Based on Audi’s A5 platform. | |
| S | 3 | S is a Sports model. S3 is a small Sports Hatchback | |
| S | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | S4 to S8 are mid-size Sports Sedans / Wagons / Coupe / Hatchbacks. | |
| TT | — | TT is a Compact Car – Based on the VW Group’s A platform. | |
| TTS | — | TTS is a Compact Sports Car with high performance, available with a modified 2.0L TFSI (GDI) engine with either a six-speed close-ratio manual or a sporty six-speed ‘S-Tronic’ automatic transmission & “Quattro” four-wheel drive as standard. | |
| TT RS | — | TT RS is a “RennSport” / Compact Racing Sports Car, featuring an all-new 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection TFSI aka (GDI) petrol engine with a new short-shift close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and “Quattro” four-wheel-drive system. |
Audi Nomenclature for A6:
Audi nomenclature uses the letter “A” for the Sedan / Hatchback body shape. While A1 is only available as a 3-door or 5-door hatchback, Audi has five sedans to offer which start from the smallest A3 to the biggest A8. The higher the number, bigger is the car.
Audi Nomenclature for Q7:
Audi nomenclature uses the letter “Q” for the SUV body shape. The “Q” represents “Quattro” meaning Four – a term used to describe a “Four-Wheel-Drive”. Audi offers three SUVs, which start from the smallest Q3 to the biggest Q7. The higher the number, bigger is the car. The Q3 is a five-door Compact SUV; whereas Q5 is a Compact Entry-level Luxury SUV & Q7 is a Fuller-size Luxury SUV.
Audi Nomenclature for R8:
The letters “R” & “RS” in Audi nomenclature, which represent the “Roadster” and a “Racing Sport” body types, respectively. Audi’s “R” models use “Audi Space Frame” platform similar to A8, while the “RS” model uses the A5 platform. Besides, the company offers R8 & RS-4, 5 & 7 models respectively, in this class.
Audi Nomenclature for TT:
The twin letters “TT” in Audi nomenclature represent the Compact Sports car body shape. The Audi “TT” uses Volkswagen Group’s A platform, which is similar to Audi A3 Mk1 and VW New Beetle. Audi “TT” features a Transversely-mounted Turbocharged engine. The name “TT” comes from a motor racing tradition in the British Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle race. Audi also attributes “TT” name to the phrase – “Technology & Tradition”.
Read More: BMW Nomenclature>>
