Is Audi Discontinuing the Q8?

Audi is not discontinuing the Q8 nameplate overall, but the brand is actively reshaping the Q8 lineup: the combustion‑engine Q8 and SQ8 have recently been facelifted and remain on sale, while Audi is gradually pivoting the “Q8” label toward its new Q8 e‑tron family as part of a broader electric transition.

What Is Happening to the Audi Q8 Right Now?

The central question for many buyers is whether the Audi Q8 is about to vanish from dealer showrooms. As of late 2025, the answer is no: Audi has not announced the end of the Q8 line globally. Instead, the company refreshed the Q8 and SQ8 in 2023 for the 2024 model year, signaling that the current internal‑combustion version will remain on the market for at least the near term. At the same time, Audi is clearly repositioning “Q8” as its top‑tier electric SUV badge, with the Q8 e‑tron and SQ8 e‑tron now forming the spearhead of its EV strategy.

The Current Status of the Combustion-Engine Q8

To understand whether the Q8 is being discontinued, it is essential to look at what Audi has done with the model over the last few years, especially in terms of updates, production plans, and emissions regulations that affect large SUVs.

Recent Facelift and Market Availability

Audi introduced the Q8 in 2018 as its flagship coupé‑style SUV, sitting above the Q7. In late 2023, Audi rolled out a mid‑cycle facelift for the Q8 and SQ8 for the 2024 model year, bringing updated styling, technology, and equipment. Manufacturers typically do not invest in a significant facelift if they plan to immediately discontinue a model, which strongly suggests that the Q8 will remain in production for a few more years.

The facelift included design tweaks to the front and rear, upgraded lighting technology, and interior updates. These changes were aimed at keeping the Q8 competitive in the premium SUV segment, which includes rivals such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes‑Benz GLE Coupé.

Combustion Engines Still in the Lineup

Audi continues to offer the Q8 with a range of combustion engines, depending on market and regulations. These typically include turbocharged V6 engines for the standard Q8 and more powerful V8 options for performance variants like the SQ8 and RS Q8 in certain markets. While exact powertrains differ by region, the continued development and sale of these engines indicate that the combustion‑powered Q8 is still a live product, albeit one whose long‑term future is constrained by tightening global emissions rules.

The Q8 e‑tron: Audi’s Electric Flagship

The biggest source of confusion around whether the Q8 is being discontinued comes from Audi’s use of the Q8 name for its latest generation of electric SUVs, the Q8 e‑tron and SQ8 e‑tron. This strategic move suggests that the “Q8” label will increasingly be associated with electrification.

From e‑tron to Q8 e‑tron

What used to be known simply as the “Audi e‑tron” electric SUV was rebranded as the Audi Q8 e‑tron in 2022. This was more than a name change: it was a signal that Audi sees the Q8 e‑tron as its electric counterpart to the flagship Q8, consolidating its naming strategy so that all SUVs carry a Q‑designation and EVs are clearly integrated into the existing hierarchy.

Before enumerating specific aspects of the Q8 e‑tron, it helps to know what differentiates it from earlier e‑tron models and why it matters for the future of the Q8 line.

• The Q8 e‑tron is offered in both SUV and Sportback (coupé‑style) body styles, mirroring the traditional Q8’s coupé‑SUV positioning.
• It features improved battery technology and efficiency compared with the original e‑tron, increasing usable range.
• The SQ8 e‑tron variant offers higher performance, aligning with Audi’s S‑line performance branding.
• It sits at the top of Audi’s electric SUV lineup, above the Q4 e‑tron and other smaller models.

Collectively, these factors show that Audi is moving the Q8 name toward being its core full‑size electric SUV badge, rather than eliminating the Q8 branding altogether.

Positioning in Audi’s Electric Strategy

Audi has publicly committed to launching only new all‑electric models from the latter half of this decade and to phasing out new combustion‑engine developments over time. In this context, the Q8 e‑tron is a bridge between the current lineup of conventional Q‑models and the fully electric future that Audi is targeting. The combustion Q8 and the Q8 e‑tron thus coexist for now, but it is likely that the balance will shift steadily toward the electric side.

Why People Think the Q8 Might Be Discontinued

Confusion about the fate of the Q8 is understandable. A combination of rebranding, electrification, and changing regulations has created the impression that some traditional models are disappearing, when in fact they are being rebadged, re‑engineered, or repositioned rather than outright canceled.

Rebranding and Overlapping Names

The shift from “Audi e‑tron” to “Q8 e‑tron” has led some observers to wonder whether the old Q8 is being replaced. In practice, Audi is using both: the Q8 (with combustion engines) and the Q8 e‑tron (fully electric) occupy related but distinct positions in the lineup. However, Audi’s strategy suggests that future full‑size SUVs carrying the Q8 badge are more likely to be electric than not.

Regulations and Fleet Emissions Pressures

Another factor behind the speculation is regulatory pressure. In Europe and other major markets, legislation is steadily tightening fleet CO₂ targets and emission standards. Large, heavy, high‑powered SUVs such as the Q8 are expensive for manufacturers to keep in compliance, especially with pure combustion powertrains. Over time, it becomes more attractive for brands like Audi to transition such models to plug‑in hybrid or full electric platforms, or to reduce the number of purely combustion‑powered large SUVs they offer.

Changing Consumer Demand

Consumer interest is increasingly shifting toward vehicles with some form of electrification, and premium buyers are often at the forefront of adopting new technology. That trend pushes manufacturers to invest more heavily in electric flagships like the Q8 e‑tron while gradually scaling back resources for traditional, purely combustion models in the same size and price bracket.

What Audi Has Said About the Q8’s Future

Audi has laid out a broad roadmap for electrification but has not provided a definitive public timeline for when the combustion‑engine Q8 will exit production. Instead, the company has made model‑line decisions in stages, tied to platform life cycles and market conditions.

Electrification Timelines

Audi has announced that, from around the middle of this decade, it will focus on launching new fully electric models and gradually wind down the introduction of new internal‑combustion models. The Q8, as a large SUV on an existing platform, is expected to complete its current life cycle with the help of the 2024 facelift, while Audi continues to ramp up production and development of the Q8 e‑tron and related electric products.

Implications for Buyers and Owners

For current owners and near‑term buyers, there is no sign that the Q8 is being abruptly cut from the lineup. Support, servicing, and parts remain in place, and the model is still being marketed in key regions. Over the longer term, however, buyers should expect that any direct successor to today’s Q8 may be heavily electrified or entirely electric, in line with Audi’s public commitments and the broader industry trend.

Key Takeaways for Prospective Buyers

For shoppers trying to decide between a traditional Q8 and a Q8 e‑tron, a few points help clarify what Audi is planning and how long the current Q8 is likely to remain relevant in the market.

The following list outlines the main considerations if you are wondering about the Q8’s future and how that affects a purchase decision.

• The Q8 is still in production and was recently updated, indicating continued near‑term support.
• The Q8 e‑tron is Audi’s long‑term strategic focus in this size class, reflecting the brand’s electrification goals.
• No official end‑of‑production date for the current combustion Q8 has been announced publicly.
• Regulatory pressures and Audi’s own roadmap make a future full‑electric or heavily electrified successor likely.
• Owners can expect normal parts and service support throughout the typical lifespan of the current generation.

Taken together, these points suggest that while the Q8 as a combustion model is not being scrapped overnight, the long‑term trajectory of the badge is clearly moving toward electric versions, with the Q8 e‑tron poised to become the central expression of the Q8 concept.

Summary

Audi is not discontinuing the Q8 nameplate, but it is reshaping what “Q8” means. The current combustion‑engine Q8 and SQ8 have received a recent facelift and remain on sale, with no official end‑of‑production date announced at this time. In parallel, Audi has introduced the Q8 e‑tron and SQ8 e‑tron as its flagship electric SUVs, repositioning the Q8 label at the top of its EV hierarchy. Over the coming years, regulatory pressure and Audi’s own electrification commitments make it likely that future iterations of the Q8 will be increasingly, and eventually exclusively, electric. For now, though, the Q8 is evolving, not disappearing.