Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Save the V8sThe old adage of 'there's no replacement for displacement' is becoming more and more difficult to apply these days. Downsized turbos have become commonplace, effectively replacing displacement, and the same could be said about hybridization. V12s are on thin ice, and V8s, while not (yet) endangered, are a threatened species.At least there are conservation efforts to keep V8s around for longer. For starters, cars that were previously offered with 12 cylinders are going for V8s. America is also doing its part. Some automakers have been vocal about keeping it alive for longer, such as Mercedes-Benz. Now, even Audi says its eight cylinders aren't going anywhere.Audi CEO: "I'm a Big Fan of V8"That's what Audi CEO Gernot Döllner told The Drive right before the launch of the RS5 earlier this month. Okay, this doesn't mean that Audi will start shoving V8s in everything it makes (admittedly a fun idea), but given that its CEO would like to have V8 power in the company's roster is a good sign.AdvertisementAdvertisementDöllner added, "It's a perfect fit to the full-size SUVs, and whenever package-wise possible, there's no restriction to have an engine like that." It's the second half of that sentence that's caught everyone's attention, as it shows that the company isn't limiting its applications.What Models Could Have it?The bigger the vehicle, the less it is strangled by emissions regulations. With that in mind, the upcoming Q9 is the perfect candidate for V8 power. While we're certain it'll come with Audi's now-familiar 3.0-liter V6 turbo, the large crossover's size should make it easy to accommodate a V8 under its hood. Having trademarked the name SQ9, that engine might make its way to the performance version of the model should the company decide to build it.Another obvious candidate is the next-generation RS6. This one could have some electrification thrown in to keep it compliant with tough EU regulations. Again, given its size, it's not subject to the even tighter rules that the smaller RS5 has to follow, giving the RS6 more leeway with the cylinder count. Besides, it sounds blasphemous to have a six-cylinder RS6, literally and figuratively. Admittedly, though, we miss the days of non-sporting Audi A6s being available with V8 power.We might still see the next-generation Q7 with a V8 option, too. While it won't be as large as the Q9, the model can fit a V8 under its hood, as shown by the last two generations. Like before, it'll likely be reserved for the SQ7.AudiHope for a New Flagship Sedan?As nice as this bit of news is, we can't help but wonder if a V8 will make it to other non-SUV models. Audi did say it's not completely closing the door on a flagship sedan, but it might take some time before we see another generation. Before its gradual discontinuation, the A8 was offered with a twin-turbo V8 found in either the 60 TFSI or S8.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the meantime, the Q9 will serve as a stand-in for the A8 as Audi's flagship luxury vehicle. It's still unknown how long the current model will hang on before it's eventually retired, but hopefully, we'll see another large V8-powered sedan with four rings on the grille in the future.AudiThis story was originally published by Autoblog on May 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.