Audi A8 L & RS5 Sportback Discontinued : Audi has covertly removed the A8 L sedan and RS 5 Sportback from its India website. The Audi A8L and RS 5 were launched as completely built imports (CBUs) in India with their prices at Rs 1.63 crore and Rs 1.13 crore (ex-showroom) respectively. We have contacted for an official statement but Audi India is yet to respond.

Audi A8L: a brief recap

The last version of the A8 L was introduced in July 2022, a facelift for the A8’s fourth generation. The A8 was offered in the long-wheelbase format that is preferred in the segment in India with choice of 4- and 5-seat configurations. Under the hood was a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol V6 engine making 340hp, paired to a quattro AWD system.

The recent vacating of the flagship limousine segment by Audi now leaves all this real estate to just the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series/i7. The A8 has long been outsold by the flagships from BMW and Mercedes. The A8 is also late in the cycle globally, while the S-Class and 7 Series are newer products. It is likely to be a fully electric model, and it will probably be some time before we see the next-generation A8.

A Quick Recap on the Audi RS5 Sportback

TOI Auto – Staff | updated: Dec 4, 2023, 18:15 IST The Audi RS5 Sportback was launched in August 2021, powered by a 450hp, 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine. In fact, the A5 line-up in India could only be had as one of two sporty iterations – RS5 or S5; the latter is till available for sale. Also, the RS5 was surprisingly practical, as it was introduced as a 4-door Sportback instead of a 2-door coupe body like the first-gen car.

As with the RS5, the A8 is also nearing the end of its life cycle. The A5 range, of which the RS5 is a part, has reached its next generation abroad, and has an S5 in the line-up already, so an all-new RS5 may be joining the familial ranks shortly.Meanwhile, Audi is all set to launch the RS Q8 facelift in India on February 17, and you can read about it here