New generation of Audi Q8: development officially launched

Audi is preparing a successor to the Q8

According to НВ — Техно: Audi has officially confirmed that the second generation of the Q8 crossover is already in development. This decision was made by the company's CEO Gernot Deller, who took charge in September 2023. Prior to his arrival, there was no clear answer from Audi regarding the model's continuation.

It is expected that the new model will be assembled in Bratislava, Slovakia, at the same production facility where other models on the shared platform are produced.

No spy shots of the new Q8 have been published yet; however, one of Audi's key suppliers claims that the car will appear soon. Analysts at Motor1 expect the debut to be no earlier than 2028. This situation indicates that the project is at an early stage of development.

Changes in the model lineup

Amid the work on the new Q8, the company also announced the cessation of production of several models, including:

• A1
• Q2
• A5 coupe and convertible
• TT
• R8

Additionally, this year the flagship sedan A8 will be discontinued, and there will be no direct successor. This confirms that Audi is restructuring its model lineup in light of new market realities.

While some models are fading into the past, others are undergoing active testing. Prototypes of the next generation Audi S6 have been spotted on the Nürburgring track with almost no camouflage. The S6 estate had only a fragment of adhesive tape on the rear doors, hiding the S6 badge.

Gernot Deller commented on the situation as follows:

“When I came to Audi, I was surprised to find that there were no decisions made about a successor. But we changed that.”

Among the competitors of the new Q8 are the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Lamborghini Urus, and Volkswagen Touareg. For fans of the brand, this is an additional signal that Audi continues to hold its position in the premium crossover segment. Since the launch of the model is expected no earlier than 2028, the manufacturer has time to carefully prepare the novelty for its release and consider current trends in the automotive industry.