Since the mid -nineties of the last century, Audi has stood up to uncompromising quality in workmanship and materials such as the lack of another brand. This basis for its appearance from the mouse of the gray companies with a somewhat fragile appearance to a distinct manufacturer on an equal footing with Mercedes and BMW in terms of image. Recently, however, this Nimbus began to stumble.
On the one hand, this is definitely due to the chaos of management in the past few years, as the development heads have been in a continuous stampede, which leads to a great delay in introducing new vital models. The accumulation of new cars has now been cleared, as six new models were presented last year alone: A6 E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, A5 Sedan, A5 Avant, Q5 SUV and Q5 Sportback. In addition, the A6 Avant will be offered with important combustion engines within a few weeks.
As far as it comes to the model, Audi has definitely closed important gaps. However, taking a closer look at new vehicles immediately reveals the next problem. Quality of materials used in interiors A6 E-TronQ5 and its partners. In some cases, it is very disappointing and it is likely to meet most of the ordinary Audi customers.
Photo by: Audi
Audi Q5 (2024): Plated plastic instead of metal surfaces on the Q5 door
Photo by: Audi
Audi A5 Avant (2024): high -quality framed screen, but the weaknesses in the materials are directly invisible
It is not about the things you see or touch at first glance – everything is still in the green area. But what is hidden under it is something that was not present a few years ago. The consistency of solid plastics on the doors and the glove gowns is frighteningly simple. The shape of the plastic parts painted indifferently will look around the door opening and the central control unit within four or five years will definitely be exciting. Surrounding chrome? Hard metal parts? It is not an opportunity.
In the past, the interior of Audi looked as if it was grinded from a solid block, but today, the red pen is significantly responsible. This is a real work of publishing infantry given the very ambitious price expectations of Audi, which can bear fruit in the long run. At least, this perception appears to have blew up on officials.
At the new Q5 leadership event, Oscar Da Silva Martins, the head of communications and technological communication at Audi, was unusually open to its self -type, and told reporters present when we were asked: “We were definitely better in terms of quality in the past, but we will get there there Again. “He added that the demands of customers and the media on the quality of Audi may be slightly reduced. The savings may be provided in wrong places.
These are the words that you usually not hear from the industry with such openness and that certainly deserve respect. In addition, other Audi officials kept the possibility of improvements in this field in the near future. With the most recent models, the lesser materials should be from the past. It is possible (Hope) They will also interact with this in the upcoming new models.
Photo by: Audi
Stephen Wagner in the new Audi Q5 (2025)
In the defense of the company, which is based in the Ingolstadt, it should be noted that in most cases, competition with the three -point star is not better. In Mercedes, also the quality of materials has decreased significantly over the past few years. No vow has been heard to improve them. BMW, on the other hand, came out at the beginning of 2010 with a new 3 chain at the time (F30) and has been improved since then.
We continue to listen from the development departments that constantly tighten the standards of emissions, safety, cyber security and homogeneity have a severe impact on development costs and that this must be compensated elsewhere. However, German installments manufacturers should not, in particular, should not cut the corners when it comes to one of their most important hobbies: distinguished quality. We are very curious to find out what will happen next.