The company's chief executive Rupert Stadler told Reuters that Audi's renewed push for electric cars is a direct result of the emissions scandal that embroiled its parent company Volkswagen.

Stadler wasn't spilling the beans on the new cars, but did say there would be a subcompact among them. To make room for the new vehicles, some older models would likely be dropped. We're looking at you, two-door A3.

Another premium manufacturer focusing more heavily on electric and autonomous cars will likely take some of the spotlight off Tesla's autonomous vehicle ambitions.

""This is about a robot car that may not even need a steering wheel or pedals, so it's ideal for urban traffic," Stadler said.

Audi's also got tentative plans for fuel cell cars too, but doesn't think there will be enough charging stations to make the technology viable until at least 2020.