Audi ute: Oz boss calls it unlikely, but the Activesphere might be a clue...

UPDATE: Bad news if you’ve been waiting for Audi to plunge into the hugely popular dual-cab ute segment – it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen after all.

Alex Inwood

The prospect of a four-ringed dual-cab was first raised last year when Audi’s global CEO Markus Duesmann was quoted as saying: “I can’t promise that we will do one, but we are looking into it.”

Naturally that sent the rumour mill into overdrive with many speculating Audi could use its Volkswagen Group connections to rebadge the new-gen Amarok or invest in a completely fresh all-electric model for later this decade.

We even had the a set of renders knocked up to show you what an Audi dual-cab ute could look like.

But Audi Australia’s managing director, Jeff Mannering, has since poured cold water on the idea and all-but ruled it out.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana

“I have no knowledge of an Audi dual-cab,” he told Wheels. “I think I saw an artist’s impression maybe three or four years ago but that was a long time ago. I haven’t even seen a blueprint or a plan for it, so it’s not on our radar I can tell you.”

When asked if Audi would welcome a potential dual-cab ute to the Aussie range, Mannering replied: “I don’t know, I don’t know whether a dual-cab ute fits in with Audi so much. I know some other Germans have had a go at it; I don’t know how successful that was." (Not very. - Ed.)

“I’m not Markus Duesmann, but if he said we’d do it, whether you’d even bring it to Australia would depend on what spec it is and what engine was in it.

"If you started development now, how long would it take? It’d be 2027/2028 maybe even 2029 and then you’re going to have to say, 'will it be a typical ute with a diesel engine or will it be an electric ute?' Possibly it could be, but there’s no plan that I know of.”

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Audi's new Activesphere concept brings a very sorta-kinda near-useless ute vibe to the four-door coupe space. Click the photo for more images.

No Audi ute doesn't mean no Audi ute...

Mike Stevens

Interestingly, just days after our man Inwood spoke with the local Audi boss, the company's European mothership unveiled a sorta-kinda ute-like concept: the Audi Activesphere.

Ostensibly a jacked-up four-door coupe with massive off-roading rubber at each corner, the Activesphere ties in a mini-ute boot with a bottom-hinged tailgate and a sliding glass roof to create an open cargo area. As if the industry's kite-high designers and marketers haven't dreamed up enough ways to combine traditional body styles...

As the concept images show, Audi may not have the appetite for a conventional ute, but it's clearly open to the idea of a more stylish and recreational take on the old model.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura

The story to here

August 2022: An Audi ute? Amarok-based model rendered

Jordan Hickey

Audi could enter the ever-popular dual-cab 4x4 ute segment in the coming years, if previous suggestions come to fruition.

In March 2022, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann hinted at a four-ringed pick-up model at the company’s annual earnings conference, stating (via Autocar): “I can't promise that we will do one, but we are looking into it.”

“Actually, we will present – not too far from now – maybe something,” he added, with no further detail, including whether this refers to a concept model or an official confirmation.

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It is unclear how Audi plans to develop a ute, should it be given the tick of approval.

However, the development time would likely take several years, missing the 2025 deadline for the unveiling of Audi's last all-new petrol or diesel model.

Therefore, the utility would likely feature a battery-electric powertrain to rival the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV – or smaller vehicles, such as a potential Ford Ranger Lightning.

Audi will begin phasing out internal-combustion vehicles in the early 2030s, excluding the Chinese market.

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In the meantime, rendering artist Theottle has imagined a potential Audi ute, with inspiration coming from the recently-revealed Q6 large SUV designed for the Chinese market, to demonstrate the brand’s styling when applied to a ute body.

The rendering uses the new-generation, Ford Ranger-based Volkswagen Amarok as its core, with modifications including; a full-width rear light bar, slim headlights, a large singleframe grille and ‘quattro’ all-wheel-drive badging.

This approach is less likely since the short-lived Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which was based on the current Nissan Navara, demonstrated low demand for a prestige ladder-frame workhorse, in addition to the growing shift towards electrification – a move led by luxury brands, including Audi.

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Mercedes-Benz produced the X-Class between 2017 and 2020 with an optional V6 diesel mill, before it was axed due to low sales in key markets and cost-cutting initiatives.

In addition, unlike Mercedes-Benz, Audi has no significant experience in developing and selling commercial vehicles; however, it could leverage support from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division.

One option could be to develop the Volkswagen Group’s first ute on a dedicated electric vehicle platform, such as the existing MEB architecture found on the Q4 E-Tron or the forthcoming PPE architecture set to underpin the Q6 E-Tron.

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The rear-drive Premium Patform Electric (PPE) architecture has been jointly developed with Porsche, offering air suspension, all-wheel steering, torque vectoring and the company’s latest-generation software components, with a new infotainment suite based on the Android Automotive operating system.

More costly utes are proving successful in Australia, with the Ford Ranger Raptor joining rival brands such as Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen in offering range-topping models – albeit with an off-road focus.

The momentum is also growing in the United States, with examples including the luxurious Ford F-150 Platinum, GMC Sierra Denali and Toyota Tundra Capstone, as well as the performance-orientated Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor R.