Audi Confirms Next-Generation Q8 Will Retain Its Sporty Positioning
Audi is developing a successor to the current Q8. The five-seat SUV is expected to retain its coupé-like profile and continue as a sportier alternative to the Q7, although Audi has yet to announce a reveal date or publish any technical specifications. A V8 remains a credible possibility, but the manufacturer has not officially confirmed it.
A Successor Was Not Always Guaranteed
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner told Edmunds that no decision on a Q8 successor had been made when he took charge of the company. Audi subsequently revised its product plans, and Döllner has now confirmed that a new generation will arrive in the relatively near future.
Audi does not intend to reposition the Q8 within its range. It will remain a five-seat, more performance-oriented alternative to the Q7, competing primarily with models such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé. Döllner did not provide a specific launch date.
V8 Remains Unconfirmed
Edmunds expects the next Q8 to offer V6 and V8 engines, potentially including a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Audi itself has not confirmed the new model’s powertrain line-up, however, so the continuation of the V8 cannot yet be presented as established fact.
The current RS Q8 performance illustrates the importance of an eight-cylinder engine to the model family’s image. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 471 kW and 850 Nm, accelerating the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Combined WLTP fuel consumption is rated at 13.1–13.6 L/100 km.
Q7 and Q9 Leave a Clear Niche for the Q8
The new Q7 prioritises versatility and practicality, offering five, six or seven seats. Audi’s largest SUV, the Q9, comes with seven seats as standard, while an optional six-seat configuration replaces the second-row bench with two individually adjustable seats. Alongside them, the Q8 will retain a lower-slung, more design-led and driver-focused character.
This gives Audi three large SUVs with clearly differentiated roles. The Q7 emphasises practicality and flexibility, the Q9 space and flagship luxury, and the Q8 styling and driving dynamics.
In Europe, the next Q8’s competitiveness will ultimately depend on its powertrain range, the extent of its electrification and its price. For now, Audi has confirmed only that the model will continue and retain its established position within the range. Any more detailed technical claims will require official confirmation from the manufacturer.
