Audi has ended production of the A8 flagship sedan after more than thirty years. The Neckarsulm plant that built the A8 has shifted to production of the A5 sedan and Avant in standard and S5 or RS5 trims.
The fifth-generation A8 that just exited production was approaching its tenth birthday. The original A8 launched in 1994 with aluminum-intensive construction and an available 4.2-liter V8. Recent generations remained more understated than rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, though even with a mid-cycle facelift, the current model was considered long in the tooth for a flagship sedan.
Full-size German luxury sedans depreciate heavily, and both BMW and Mercedes have outsold Audi in the segment. Audi has no immediate plans to reboot the A8.
The Q9 SUV, aimed at the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS, takes over flagship duties. The three-row Q9 carries more passengers and cargo than any A8 model.
Audi may return with an electrified successor to the A8, possibly as an extended version of the new battery-electric A4.