The newcomer will be styled after the gorgeous grandsphere concept and will be loaded with tech.
The Audi A8 will be reborn as an electric luxury sedan in the coming years, debuting three decades after the range-topping nameplate was conceived in 1994, reports Autocar.
We already know the next-generation model will arrive with styling inspired by the grandsphere concept, meaning we can expect a sophisticated electric sedan that eschews the traditional three-box design for a sleeker liftback profile. The elegant grandsphere was revealed in 2021 and features a 120-kilowatt-hour battery that provides an estimated range of 466 miles.
It's safe to assume the new A8 will get a similar setup with a slightly more realistic range figure. As a reminder, the electric concept has 800-volt architecture, which will enable customers to replenish the battery from 5-80% in just 25 minutes.
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The sophisticated PPE platform, which underpins several Audi and Porsche EVs, should provide supreme comfort and refinement. When it arrived, Audi claimed the grandsphere produced 710 horsepower and 708 lb-ft of torque, courtesy of two electric motors.
If the new A8 arrives with this much power, it would be the most powerful production Audi in existence, eclipsing the impressive outputs of the all-electric RS e-tron GT and even the R8 GT, the swansong for the iconic mid-engined supercar.
Of course, outputs in excess of 700 horses would likely be reserved for the most powerful models. Audi will obviously cater to a broad range of customers, with lesser-powered models that focus on range and efficiency.
But performance and comfort aren't the only things the new A8 will possess in bucketloads.
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As you'd expect for a modern luxury car, Audi is moving to a clean and uncluttered interior that will do away with traditional buttons and dials. But it may not rely on conventional touchscreens, either. The marque's Sid Odedra recently told Autocar that holographic projections and sensor controls could be in store. “We don't want to overload you” with information, he said, adding, “We're not giving you less, actually. We're giving you more. With less, we're going to give you more of a digital experience with less physical architecture.”
Audi is also racing to further its advances in the autonomous driving sphere. The next-gen A8 almost certainly won't have the futuristic cabin previewed by the grandsphere, which featured a retractable steering wheel and pedals that allow the car to take over driving duties. The automaker still believes full self-driving cars are some time away, so expect the new A8 to debut with a traditional-looking interior.
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While superb, the last three generations of the Audi A8 haven't moved the game on much like their German rivals. The first iteration, known as D2, was a true technological marvel. The vehicle was launched in 1994 with the cutting-edge “Audi Space Frame” aluminum monocoque, which reduced weight, increased performance, and improved economy.
The late Ferdinand Piech reportedly wanted an aluminum structure to compensate for the heavier all-wheel drive system. Rivals at the time were still using rear-wheel drive setups. It certainly worked; the 6.0-liter W12 tipped the scales at around 4,365 lbs – nearly 700 lbs lighter than the equivalent Mercedes S600.
The first-gen A8 was also the first all-wheel drive car in the world to receive electronic stability control, along with a series of other luxury and safety features.
With the grandsphere-inspired model, it's clear to see the A8 will be reborn in the electric era as an innovative luxury sedan, much like the vehicle that kicked off the dynasty 29 years ago.
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Keyword: Electric Audi A8 Will Be Ingolstadt's Most Powerful EV