The flagship Audi A8 will be taking a temporary hiatus when production of the current model ends in 2027 and the brand has confirmed that its upcoming three-row Q9 SUV will instead serve as the interim crown jewel until the sedan returns. This was reported during the marque’s annual media conference, confirming that order books
The flagship Audi A8 will be taking a temporary hiatus when production of the current model ends in 2027 and the brand has confirmed that its upcoming three-row Q9 SUV will instead serve as the interim crown jewel until the sedan returns.
This was reported during the marque’s annual media conference, confirming that order books have closed in Europe.
The A8’s replacement will return at the end of the decade, so it will not be a very long break for the sedan. However, executives referred to it as the “A8 successor” during the media conference, indicating that it may not be a direct conventional replacement for the limousine.
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Though the A8 often does not get mentioned in the same breath as its two largest German competitors, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series, Ingolstadt’s sedan has had some memorable silver screen moments, most notably the Audi S8 (D2) in the movie Ronin and in the Transporter franchise as well in the guise of a 2005 Audi A8 L W12 and a 2008 Audi A8 L W12 and an Audi S8 V10.
Once it arrives later this year, the three-row Q9 take the helm of the brand’s portfolio and has been described as “perfectly suited to take over this role as a chauffeured vehicle.” It will strengthen their position in markets such as the US against competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7.
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While details surrounding the Q9 are yet to be disclosed, the SUV should sit on the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture and be available with a few powertrain choices, likely the 4.0-litre turbocharged petrol V8 in the SQ8 and RSQ8. The Q9 will also serve as the platform for the Porsche’s upcoming seven-seater flagship SUV, codenamed K1.