Audi Adds Power Ratings to its Vehicle Badging

This autumn Audi AG will begin expanding the badging it uses to identify its models with two-digit numbers that indirectly indicate their power output.

Audi reasons that depicting power is becoming more relevant than engine displacement, especially as more models adopt hybrid or all-electric powertrains. The new nomenclature will debut later this year with the introduction of Audi’s redesigned A8 large sedan and be completed for all models by summer 2018.

The two-digit badges won’t indicate actual power levels. Instead, they will signify three ranges of power output in kilowatts. Thus “30” will appear on cars whose drivetrains make 81-96 kW (109-129 hp), “45” will be for vehicles generating 169-185 kW (227-248 hp) and “70” will signify powertrains that make more than 400 kW (536 hp).

But Audi also says the two-digit codes will increase in increments of five to signify a hierarchy of power output. What that means isn’t clear. But the company insists the format is being introduced for the sake of “clarity and logic.”