Mercedes updated the S-Class and gave it an electric equivalent by introducing the EQS as a dedicated EV. BMW is following a similar move with the 7 Series, although the i7 shares a platform with the ICE powered version. Audi doesn’t have a full-size electric sedan available, but that will change in 2024 with the launch of the next-generation A8. Unlike its two rivals, the folks from Ingolstadt intend to sell their next flagship as EV only.
While we haven’t seen any spy shots yet, the new range topper from Four Rings will open next year in heavily Grandsphere-influenced style. The sleek concept unveiled in September 2021 is one of four Sphere concepts Audi is developing for its all-electric lineup. As a refresher, the company intends to only launch EVs starting in 2026 and end sales of the ICE model in 2033.
26 Photo
Talk with Car, Audi design boss Marc Lichte said the Grandsphere is “very similar” to the A8 in appearance. He went on to mention it won’t be a carbon copy of the showcar, but the latter is a “very concrete teaser” of the road model. The British magazine claims it will go by the name A8 E-Tron and sit on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture co-developed with Porsche.
The concept is not only larger than the globally available long-wheelbase models but also wider than the Maybach rival Horch version sold exclusively in China. We’ll remind you that the concept is touted as a “private jet for the road,” measuring a stately 5.35 meters (17.6 feet) long with a massive 3.19 meters (10.5 feet) wheelbase.
While the technical specifications of the production car have yet to be disclosed, we do know the Grandsphere has all-wheel drive from a pair of electric motors. Audi claims a combined output of 710 horsepower (530 kilowatts) and 960 Newton-meters (708 pound-feet) of torque for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) run in just over four seconds.
The large 120 kWh battery packs enough power for a range of over 466 miles (750 kilometers) and supports 270 kWh charging, in which case it takes less than 10 minutes to get a range of over 186 miles (300 kilometers). Audi says the concept takes just over 20 minutes to charge the battery from 5 to 80 percent.
With no prototype in sight, the A8 E-Tron is unlikely to arrive early next year as logically we will debut later in 2024. It is unclear whether the current generation A8 will still be on sale after the EV arrives.
