While 2021 presented the world with plenty of challenges yet again, for Audi, even the ongoing pandemic and all that goes with it was not enough to damped the spirit of adventure and progress. With not one, but two new concept studies in the Audi skysphere concept and grandsphere concept and the much anticipated premiere of a new flagship model, the all-electric Audi e-tron GT, it was a year of highlights. 

But while many might find it a daunting prospect to live up to such a year, for Audi 2021 was just another stepping stone, with plenty of exciting highlights planned for the new year.

This month alone sees the third of the brand’s new design studies – the Audi urbansphere concept – presented to the world, showcasing an all-electric vision of mobility for those living in megacities around the globe. This final ‘sphere’ concept will round out the brand’s vision of e-mobility as Audi continues to evolve, refining its processes and plans for the future which will see the introduction of mode all-electric and hybrid-electric models globally.

The learnings from the brand’s historic participation in the Dakar Rally – only just underway – will be scrutinised to see where the Audi RS Q e-tron can be improved for future competition as has always been the way with Audi and it’s motorsport campaigns. But not only will the strengths be refined and applied to future motorsport endeavours, the very technology pressure tested in Saudi Arabia will ultimately find its way into new Audi models, making electrified drivetrains more robust, more efficient and better than ever before.

For Australia, the planned arrival of the new Audi RS 3 models this year has performance aficionados excited, while the local release of the Audi e-tron S models brings ’S’ performance to the ranks of the all-electric e-tron models Down Under for the very first time. Then there is the latest incarnation of the brand’s luxury flagship in the new Audi A8, set to again redefine the very idea of automotive luxury and of the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT waiting just over the horizon. With 2021 still fresh in the memory, already we are facing another year of highlights.