There were several major announcements at Audi's Annual General Meeting this week. The German automaker announced we can expect seven new SUV variants to launch this year and that the Audi TT is getting axed. An ultra-luxurious version of the Audi A8 is also coming to rival the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. But that wasn't the only news Audi had to share about its flagship sedan. During the meeting, Audi AG Chairman of the Board of Management Bram Schot announced that Audi is considering building a fully electric version of the next-generation Audi A8.
"The next generation of the Audi A8 might well be all-electric. That has not been decided yet, but I can well imagine it," Schott said. "We are thinking about revolutionizing the top-end class with a completely new concept for the A8." Don't expect a fully electric A8 to arrive any time soon, however.
The current version of Audi's flagship sedan was only introduced last year, so the next-generation model probably won't launch until around the middle of the next decade. Before then, Audi will launch the production version of the e-tron GT Concept four-door coupe next year. According to Schot, it will be one of 30 new electrified models Audi will launch by 2025, 20 of which will be fully electric including the e-tron and e-tron Sportback.
While a fully electric A8 is still under consideration, Schot confirmed the TT will end production "in a few years" and be replaced with an electric car that's "emotive" and "in the same price range." He also hinted that Audi's flagship supercar, the R8, could also be replaced by an pure electric car. "As I said, focusing also means leaving out," Schott said. "For example, the R8 sports car. Do we need a successor with a combustion engine? Does this fit in with our vision? The discussion will give us an answer to that."