Leading Audi’s sales fell last year, with A8 deliveries down 26.3 percent to just 14,955 cars. It’s not hard to see why. The current generation is showing its age, having been around since 2017. Additionally, demand for full-size luxury sedans has been steadily eroding as SUVs dominate the market.
A mid-cycle facelift introduced for 2022 wasn’t enough to move the needle, and Horch’s extra-long version for China, named after one of Audi’s historic pioneers, didn’t help much either. So, what’s next? Apparently, even Audi isn’t sure. A spokesman said automobilefuchi The company is still “looking for a platform for a potential successor.”
Another facelift has been ruled out, as the A8 needs a new platform to meet stricter regulations. With EV adoption slower than expected, a purely electric successor is seen as a risky move. Porsche’s decision to launch its upcoming three-row SUV with combustion engines first, despite originally planning it as an electric vehicle, underscores the Volkswagen Group’s new caution about moving forward with electrification.
So what’s the plan? Audi could extend the life of its A8 gas with an extended version of the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). This architecture already underpins the latest A5, Q5, A6 and Q6, with the Q7 and the first ever Q9 Join next year. Ingolstadt is still tight-lipped, but head of technical development Geoffrey Bookout said so automobilefuchi The future of the A8 is under active review:
“We are thinking extensively about when we will launch the successor to the A8 and which driving technology will be best.”
A decision is expected in the coming weeks. Even if the ICE replacement gets the green light, it’s unlikely to arrive before 2029, leaving a potential gap once the current A8 comes out. The fourth-generation model has had its lifespan extended until late 2026, but by then it will already be nine years old. Some might argue that this makes it outdated by flagship standards, especially coming from a luxury brand.
Meanwhile, both BMW and Mercedes are planning updates to their ranges in 2026, which will make the 7 Series and S-Class look fresher next to the aging A8. At least Audi won’t have to worry about the Lexus LS anymore. The Japanese competitor is on its way out, but there’s an eccentric pickup truck out there, maybe even with it Six wheels.
