Fermín, what exactly is your role at Audi?
I am responsible for one of four series at Audi. Internally, it is called R3. It comprises three electric model series: the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback, which are already on the road, the Audi Q4 e-tron, which is launching now, and the Q4 Sportback e-tron, which will come out soon after. In the future, a third platform for additional electric vehicles, which we are currently developing in cooperation with Porsche, will be added.
That means you are directly involved in shaping the future of our mobility. An exciting thought, isn’t it?
Yes, absolutely. That really is the case with electromobility and our electric vehicles. I find it incredibly exciting to be responsible for those cars and to help shape that change. It’s about more than a car. It’s about transforming an industry for the future.
How would you describe what is special about electric vehicles to someone who has no idea about electromobility?
My first recommendation would be to just drive one. Our studies show that customers who have switched to an electric vehicle no longer want to switch back to a combustion engine. Many are surprised by the performance of electric vehicles. The acceleration from 0 to 100 kmh is, quite simply, very impressive and virtually digital, thanks to the immediately available torque of the electric motor. You feel like you’re driving a very sporty vehicle. On the other hand, it is of course very quiet and comfortable, which makes driving an electric vehicle quite a relaxed experience. And at the same time, you’re doing the right thing for the environment: emission-free driving.
That essentially applies to every electric vehicle. What makes the Audi Q4 e-tron so special is the overall concept of the Audi design, the excellent quality, and an interior that offers as much space in the back seats as an Audi Q7. Then there are the technical innovations, such as the headlights with selectable daytime running lights or the head-up display with augmented reality. Design, quality, and Vorsprung durch Technik: the epitome of Audi DNA in a compact electric SUV.