by The Future of the Audi A8 Remains Uncertain
Production of the current generation Audi A8 has been ongoing since 2017, and despite design updates, the company has not yet confirmed whether this model will have a successor. This flagship sedan, which once showcased the brand’s technological achievements, finds itself in a difficult situation.
Key Points
If Audi discontinues production, it will be the first time in over three decades that the company will not have a direct competitor to the BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Lexus is also preparing to discontinue the LS model, experimenting with an unusual six-wheeled minivan concept as a potential spiritual successor.
Uncertainty Persists for Years
The future of the A8 has remained uncertain for several years. Initially, it was expected that Audi would introduce two fully electric successors in 2027, including a crossover with the internal name Landjet and a low-slung sedan, the Landyacht, inspired by the impressive 2021 Grandsphere concept.
However, these plans are now falling apart. The next-generation A8 models were supposed to use the platform of the future Porsche K1 electric crossover, but this project has been indefinitely postponed. Porsche decided to develop a different hybrid model, forcing Audi to rethink its own strategy. Combined with slow electric vehicle sales in several key markets, the company appears to have shelved its flagship electric project.
Jeffrey Bukut, the brand’s head of technical development, stated that the team is “intensively considering when we will introduce the successor to the A8 and what drive technology is the right one.”
Search for a New Platform
The current A8 uses the MLB evo platform introduced in 2017, and Audi claims it can no longer extend this architecture. A company representative explained that updating the platform is not an option due to the high costs of bringing it into compliance with stricter emissions regulations and other standards.
The Volkswagen Group’s MSB platform, which has been used since 2016 for models such as the Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental, is also nearing the end of its life cycle. One solution could be to adapt the future Premium Platform Combustion architecture, which will form the basis for the next-generation Q7 and the larger Q9. A lengthened version of this platform could serve as the foundation for a new A8, preserving internal combustion engines for a few more years.
Such a step could provide Audi with additional time until the 2030s, when the brand will have a clearer idea of whether a fully electric replacement makes commercial and technological sense. For now, the survival of the A8 remains in question, and the company is expected to make a decision regarding the model’s future in the coming weeks.
The current state of the automotive industry is characterized by significant structural changes, where traditional segments are blurring and manufacturers are forced to balance environmental requirements, technological possibilities, and market realities. The transition to electric vehicles requires significant investments, forcing companies to reassess the feasibility of supporting less popular models, even if they have significant historical value. The position of the A8 reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry, where manufacturers are increasingly focusing on crossovers and SUVs, adapting to changes in consumer demand.
