Audi Audi has plans to extend the lifecycle of the current A8 for a few more years due to the delayed introduction of its fully electric successor. This decision is made with the aim of boosting the sales success of the petrol-powered A8 model in China and limiting the introduction of the all-new flagship sedan, the E-Tron, in a context of lower-than-expected demand for electric cars.
The fourth generation of the Audi A8 (D5) was launched in 2017 and received a mid-lifecycle update at the end of 2021. Initially, a completely new fully electric successor, previewed as the Grandsphere concept, was expected to debut in 2024. However, it now seems that this launch will be postponed until at least 2027. Without an A8 E-Tron in the near future, Audi may consider another upgrade to maintain the attractiveness of the current model for a few more years.
An Audi spokesperson told German magazine AMS that there are currently no plans to discontinue production of the A8, citing strong sales figures for the current model in China. While the spokesperson did not provide specific details about Audi’s future plans, the publication reports that discussions regarding another upgrade for the A8 are underway internally. Notably, a similar strategy was applied to the Audi Q7, which received a second facelift earlier this year despite being initially introduced in 2015.
Competitors of the Audi A8 include the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which are offered alongside fully electric alternatives in the form of the BMW i7 and the Mercedes EQS. However, those seeking a battery-powered sedan bearing the Audi badge will have to opt for the upcoming A6 E-Tron or the more stylish and lower-slung E-Tron GT.
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