Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, recently admitted that the company's new flagship SUV almost featured electronic door handles, a design choice met with disapproval from customers. The decision to change the door handles was made 45 weeks ago, after Döllner test drove the final validation vehicles and realized that the innovative door handle concept was not practical for everyday use.
Döllner explained that the original door handle design featured a small wing on the door that used a piezoelectric physical effect to open the door electromechanically when touched slightly. However, this design was not suitable for a full-size SUV, and the company was lucky to be able to change it to a conventional door handle design before the vehicle's release.
View Price on AmazonThe change was a monumental undertaking, requiring the company to change out tooling that was already in place. Normally, it takes two years to change the door handles, but Audi's body engineers did an outstanding job, and the company was able to make the change in a much shorter timeframe.
Audi had originally planned to follow the trend of electronic door handles, similar to those found on the Volvo EX60. However, the company ultimately decided to prioritize customer feedback and opt for a more conventional design. The decision was not driven by the banning of unconventional door handles in the Chinese market, but rather by a desire to provide a better user experience for customers.
In addition to changing the door handles, Audi also made other significant changes to the vehicle, including reworking the center console, introducing cupholders that can fit larger cups, and optimizing the interior cooling and seating. These changes demonstrate Audi's commitment to listening to customer feedback and making improvements to its vehicles.
Source: thedrive.com
