Audi A8 L, RS 5 Sportback Removed from India Lineup

Audi India has silently withdrawn the A8 L sedan and RS 5 Sportback from its Indian official website, which is a sign that both the models are no longer part of the subcontinent's range of the brand. Both vehicles were available as Completely Built Units (CBUs) and, therefore, were comparatively pricier than locally assembled versions. With this withdrawal, Audi's Indian lineup lacks a flagship luxury sedan or an fossil-fuel combustion RS model.

Audi A8 L

The Audi A8 L was a long-wheelbase version of Audi's flagship luxury sedan, which competed against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. The car was introduced in India during July 2022 and was equipped with a 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol engine. The engine produced 340 horsepower and was coupled to Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. The A8 L also had adaptive air suspension and a mild-hybrid system, which increased its premium factor.

At the time it was axed, the A8 L cost Rs. 1.63 crore (ex-showroom). Audi's decision to discontinue this model, however, is occurring when the S-Class and 7 Series are even stronger in India. The A8's product cycle is just about at its end everywhere else, with upcoming plans pointing toward an electric-only version of the next A8.

Audi RS 5 Sportback

Apart from the A8 L, Audi has also discontinued the RS 5 Sportback from India. Launched in August 2021, the RS 5 Sportback was a sporty variant of the A5 series. It was powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine producing 444 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. The engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, making it a proper sports sedan.

Priced at Rs. 1.13 crore (ex-showroom), the RS 5 Sportback offered both performance and practicality with its 4-door Sportback design, which was more versatile than the previous 2-door coupe version. However, like the A8 L, the RS 5 Sportback's lifecycle is coming to a close, as the next generation of the A5 model has already been revealed internationally.

Impact on Audi’s Lineup in India

Audi India removing the A8 L and RS 5 Sportback from its website implies that the brand does not currently sell a flagship luxury sedan or an RS-performance offering with a conventional internal combustion engine in India. The brand's future direction in the country could be more electric-vehicle biased, with models such as the RS Q8 facelift still on the cards.

The RS Q8 facelift will go on sale in India on February 17, and it will likely be Audi's focus for high-performance vehicles going forward. The next-gen A8 could also be an electric-only vehicle, according to Audi's global transition to electric mobility.

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