Audi admits A4 to A5 name change was a mistake, returns to classic naming
Audi reverses A4 to A5 renaming after customer confusion
Audi admits A4 to A5 name change was a mistake, returns to classic naming
Audi admits dropping the A4 name for A5 was a mistake, citing customer and dealer feedback. The company returns to classic naming logic, with the A4 name likely to return in future updates.
2026-02-02T08:40:22+03:00
2026-02-02T08:40:22+03:00
2026-02-02T08:40:22+03:00
Audi has officially admitted that one of its most noticeable decisions in recent years—dropping the A4 name in favor of A5—was a mistake. Customer and dealer feedback revealed that the attempt to simplify the model lineup had the opposite effect.The name change was supposed to helpThe renaming was part of a strategy presented in 2023. Audi planned to reserve odd-numbered indices for cars with internal combustion engines, and even-numbered ones for electric vehicles. Under this logic, the A4 sedan and wagon were merged under the A5 name, which had previously been used for coupe and Sportback versions. Similar changes affected performance variants, including the shift from S4 to S5.Market reaction told the whole storyThe A4 name has been in use since 1994 and became one of the most recognizable designations in Audi's lineup. Customers and dealers found the new name confusing, especially since the car essentially remained the same. As a result, the company abandoned further development of this scheme and kept familiar names for future models, including the gasoline-powered A6, which did not become an A7.Audi returns to classic namingAudi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed that the company will return to traditional logic: the letter A for passenger cars, Q for crossovers, and the number indicating the size and class of the vehicle. He also suggested that the A4 name could return with one of the model's next updates. This move fits into a broader brand shift that has already affected control elements, engine designations, and visual distinctions for performance versions.
Audi A4, Audi A5, name change mistake, Audi naming strategy, customer feedback, automotive news
2026
Michael Powers
news
Audi reverses A4 to A5 renaming after customer confusion
Audi admits dropping the A4 name for A5 was a mistake, citing customer and dealer feedback. The company returns to classic naming logic, with the A4 name likely to return in future updates.
Michael Powers, Editor
Audi has officially admitted that one of its most noticeable decisions in recent years—dropping the A4 name in favor of A5—was a mistake. Customer and dealer feedback revealed that the attempt to simplify the model lineup had the opposite effect.
The name change was supposed to help
The renaming was part of a strategy presented in 2023. Audi planned to reserve odd-numbered indices for cars with internal combustion engines, and even-numbered ones for electric vehicles. Under this logic, the A4 sedan and wagon were merged under the A5 name, which had previously been used for coupe and Sportback versions. Similar changes affected performance variants, including the shift from S4 to S5.
Market reaction told the whole story
The A4 name has been in use since 1994 and became one of the most recognizable designations in Audi's lineup. Customers and dealers found the new name confusing, especially since the car essentially remained the same. As a result, the company abandoned further development of this scheme and kept familiar names for future models, including the gasoline-powered A6, which did not become an A7.
Audi returns to classic naming
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed that the company will return to traditional logic: the letter A for passenger cars, Q for crossovers, and the number indicating the size and class of the vehicle. He also suggested that the A4 name could return with one of the model's next updates. This move fits into a broader brand shift that has already affected control elements, engine designations, and visual distinctions for performance versions.
