ending rs q8 production after 2026?
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My salesperson said something similar. I have a "waitlist" order in the system, waiting for an actual allocation for my dealership and they said it might not get made and they could stop production at any time. But they are still building new ones for now. But yes, this should be the last year. I'm a bit surprised because they spent some money to produce the facelift and only 2 years on a low volume car doesn't seem worth it. But lots of things going on at Audi.
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The Q9 is a totally different type of vehicle. From what I know, the RSQ8-P has been a huge sales success, at least in the US. I think every brand under the VAG umbrella is having a bit of an identity crisis and the direction is not clear. EV just isn't taking hold the way it was anticipated. It's like Porsche with the Macan. The EV just didn't take hold, and so they have extended the life of the gasoline version indefinitely. Originally 2024 was supposed to have been the last year. I am not sure there is a reason to stop the RSQ8 at this point, but who really knows what they are thinking???
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Audi ended production of the A8 in February. A successor is still nowhere in sight.
The RSQ8 may face a challenge with the new Euro 7 emissions standard and ADDW (Advanced Driver Distraction Warning). Porsche addressed the first issue by releasing the Cayenne Turbo PHEV with a V8 engine and now install additional cameras in MY2026 models.. Only the non-hybrid GT version remains in the US.
For Audi the RSQ8 volumes in the US may be too low to sustain this model exclusively for that market.
The Q9 is a completely different model and is not a counterpart to the Q8, as it will be a 7-seater. This will be a direct competitor of X7 and GLS.
The new Q7 is expected to arrive any time soon, which should give us some indication of the direction the new Q8 may take in the future.
The RSQ8 may face a challenge with the new Euro 7 emissions standard and ADDW (Advanced Driver Distraction Warning). Porsche addressed the first issue by releasing the Cayenne Turbo PHEV with a V8 engine and now install additional cameras in MY2026 models.. Only the non-hybrid GT version remains in the US.
For Audi the RSQ8 volumes in the US may be too low to sustain this model exclusively for that market.
The Q9 is a completely different model and is not a counterpart to the Q8, as it will be a 7-seater. This will be a direct competitor of X7 and GLS.
The new Q7 is expected to arrive any time soon, which should give us some indication of the direction the new Q8 may take in the future.
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The Q9 is a totally different type of vehicle. From what I know, the RSQ8-P has been a huge sales success, at least in the US. I think every brand under the VAG umbrella is having a bit of an identity crisis and the direction is not clear. EV just isn't taking hold the way it was anticipated. It's like Porsche with the Macan. The EV just didn't take hold, and so they have extended the life of the gasoline version indefinitely. Originally 2024 was supposed to have been the last year. I am not sure there is a reason to stop the RSQ8 at this point, but who really knows what they are thinking???
VAG has struggled mightily with EV. Taycan and Macan have been disappointments. How many Audi GTs have you seen? Although I do see some Etrons and Q6 variants around.
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My salesman also said the RSQ8P production was stopping after 2026 or early in 2027 model year (3rd-4th Qtr 2026). However, the expectation is within a couple years the new Q8/SQ8 will launch followed a year or so later with an RSQ8. So potentially no new RSQ8 until about 2029 at the earliest. Perhaps that will prop up resale values as the current RSQ8P's will be the last pure non-hybrid as well as the most power ICE ever made by Audi. Should be interesting.
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Let’s hope maybe the build as RSQ7 until the new RSQ8 is out. I am pretty sure the will at least build a SQ9 if not a RSQ9 but already the Q( is too big for my needs. Guess I will need to fina a 2026 RSQ8P to replace my 2024. Not the worst thing in the world.
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I just found out from my dealer that my RSQ8 that was a "waitlist order" got picked up and slated for production. Week 19 which I think is in June. It's estimated for delivery late July or early August. So close to being a 2027 but not quite. I don't really care though as I'm not obsessed with that and resale value etc. But I am obsessed about getting exactly the options I wanted so was willing to wait. They put the waitlist order in on January 6th. I'm pretty excited and this will be a nice change from my current Range Rover Sport SVR, and will be my 5th Audi.
