The current Audi A8, which has been on sale since 2017, is starting to show its age, even though a facelift has brought it back into the race in 2021. According to the British journalists of Autocar, the ringed firm will replace its sedan next year, even if we express some doubts about this information, given the fact that we have not yet seen the widespread spy photos.

If this model really does appear in 2024, then, logically, we will see the first prototypes before the end of the year. However, according to Autocar, the upcoming Audi A8 (in the most powerful version) could be the most powerful production electric car ever and, accordingly, the most powerful Audi ever. Currently, this honorable title belongs to the RS e-tron GT with its 646 hp.

As for internal combustion engines, this “record” belongs to the Audi RS 6 Competition: its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 630 hp. It is followed by the Audi R8 Performance with 620 hp. from a non-supercharged 5.2-liter V10.

What is the power?

How powerful will the successor to the A8 be? Autocar says that figure may not reach as high as the Grandsphere concept, which claims more than 700 hp and 960 Nm, but it should still outperform the RS e-tron GT and RS 6 Competition by a significant margin. In this way, Audi will be able to compete with the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 and BMW i7 M70.

It is scheduled for 2024, when the A8 will be 30 years old^thousand anniversary, the new flagship should take advantage of the wider configuration of the PPE platform. Developed by Audi and Porsche, it will be represented by two SUVs, the Q6 e-tron and the electric Porsche Macan. An Audi A6 e-tron is also planned, just below the “new A8”, which will likely precede it by a few months.

New battery for high-end models

It will be recalled that the Grandsphere concept of 2021, which in a certain way foreshadows the new A8, had a large battery capacity 120 kWh and which must be confirmed on the production model. Announced concept the maximum range is 750 km and charging capacity of 270 kW. Enough to go from 5% to 80% in less than 25 minutes. Audi claims that their model can gain 300 km of autonomy in just 10 minutes of charging at a fast terminal.

As for styling, Mark Lichte, Audi’s head of design, has already promised that the new model will “very close” of the Grandsphere concept.

In any case, even if this upcoming A8 e-tron model will be the most powerful model in Audi history, gossipers say that it will probably aim to reduce the weight of its anvil as much as possible, and we can not necessarily prove that they are wrong. However, the A8 will be, above all, a model more focused on comfort and driving pleasure than on pure performance. At this level, the Audi RS e-tron GT should maintain a slight advantage.