It's no secret that SUVs with coupe-like designs have been widely panned by critics, but that hasn't stopped luxury automakers from producing them. The trend started with the BMW X6 in 2007 and has since become a lucrative segment for many brands, including Audi. The German luxury automaker has offered multiple Sportback-styled derivatives of its SUVs, with the Q8 being marketed as a standalone model.
Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, has confirmed that a second-generation Q8 is on the way. When Döllner took the reins in September 2023, there was no decision on whether to pursue a new Q8, but that has since changed. The new Q8 is expected to arrive in the "nearer future," which likely means it will be released before the end of the decade, possibly as early as 2028.
View Price on AmazonIt's unclear whether the new Q8 will feature Audi's new design language, which was unveiled with the Concept C and Nuvolari. If not, it will likely be a Q7 with a more rakish roofline, serving as a more affordable alternative to the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Lamborghini Urus. The Q8 will likely be assembled in Bratislava, Slovakia, alongside its platform-sharing siblings.
With Audi already giving the new Q7 and first-ever Q9 the S treatment, it's possible that an SQ8 is on the way with a V8 engine. A new full-blown RS Q8 could also follow, given the existing foundation in higher-end models like the Cayenne and Urus.
Audi's confirmation of the Q8's second generation comes as a surprise, as the company has been streamlining its lineup. The A1, Q2, A5 Coupe/Convertible, TT, and R8 have all been discontinued, and the A8 flagship sedan is set to retire this year without a direct replacement. Instead, the three-row Q9 full-size SUV will become the crown jewel of Audi's lineup.
Source: motor1.com
