Audi is reportedly planning a rugged SUV that will challenge the Defender and G-Class.

Audi may produce a rugged electric SUV to compete with similar models in the luxury segment, such as the Land Rover Defender and an electric version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

This information was reported by Autocar on Thursday following an interview with Audi design chief Marc Lichte.

Lichte reportedly stated that there is space for such a car since there are only the two models mentioned above in the premium segment. Lichte also said that Audi needs such a vehicle because of Audi's history of success in off-road racing. That history continues in the electric vehicle era with the RS Q E-Tron off-road car, which recently competed in the Dakar Rally; the RS Q E-Tron program serves as a development test bed for an electric all-wheel drive system Audi calls Quattro 2.0.

Interestingly, on Thursday Audi unveiled the Activesphere concept, a coupe-like crossover with a high ride height and a rear bed with a drop tailgate.

Autocar speculates that any rugged Audi SUV would ride on the electric body-on-frame platform that Volkswagen, another VW Group brand, is developing for its upcoming Scout SUV and pickup truck. The Scout is slated for 2026 and will be produced in the United States. The Audi SUV, which shares a platform with the Scout, will likely share a factory as well.

There is speculation that VW is looking to outsource production of the Scout to contract manufacturers such as Foxconn and Magna. Magna's Austrian subsidiary Magna Steyr, the same company that builds the Mercedes G-Class, is helping to develop the car.

In September, a Magna executive said the company is looking for a location to build an EV plant in the U.S.

According to Autocar, the new Audi could be launched around 2027 if development gets the go-ahead. Stay tuned.