Audi Is Reviving the A2 and Will Launch Three New SUVs in 2026
Audi has a busy year ahead, with a next-generation Q7 in the works alongside a new flagship SUV called the Q9.
By Caleb MillerPublished: Mar 17, 2026
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Audi confirmed several new products that will launch in 2026, including the next-generation Q7 SUV and a refreshed Q4 e-tron.
A new flagship SUV called the Q9 is on the way, and Audi says it has been designed specifically with the U.S. market in mind.
Audi is also planning a new A2 e-tron, which will harken back to the original A2 with a focus on efficiency, and will be revealed in the fall.\nUPDATE 3/18/26: While Audi has already closed the order books for the A8 sedan in Germany, it appears the A8 may end up lasting until the 2027 model year in the U.S. According to Automotive News, CEO Gernot Döllner said that production of the A8 will end for Europe this fall but won’t stop for the rest of the world until some point in 2027.\n\nAudi is getting busy in 2026. The third-generation Q3 SUV went on sale in the United States, and the automaker recently pulled the covers off the 2027 RS5, now a 630-hp plug-in hybrid four-door hatchback. But Audi isn’t stopping there. During its recent financial report, it announced several new products that will launch later this year, with a pair of large SUVs, a refreshed EV, and a new electric take on one of Audi’s most creative designs.\n\nFor Sale Near You\nSee all results for new 2027 Audi Q7 for sale and new 2028 Audi Q9 for sale near 634720\n\nThe latter is the shadowy silhouette you see above: a new Audi A2 e-tron. While the original A2 was never sold in the United States during its 1999–2005 production run, car nerds will be familiar with the unorthodox city car. The A2 wasn’t a sales success, but it’s remembered for its innovative aluminum construction, which kept the car lightweight and, along with thrifty engines, resulted in impressive fuel efficiency.\n\nAudi\nThe original Audi A2.\nNow, Audi has confirmed it’s reviving the A2 nameplate on a new EV, which will be revealed this fall and will be assembled in Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt, Germany. The teaser image shows that the new A2 e-tron will wear tall and stubby bodywork that blurs the line between hatchback and minivan, just like the original, but with Audi’s sharp, modern LED lighting on the front and rear ends.\n\nAudi is promising \”high efficiency,\” like its predecessor, along with \”everyday usability in the city\” and \”digital connectivity.\” We have a feeling the A2 e-tron will be related to the Volkswagen ID.3—set to be updated soon as the ID.3 Neo—but Audi has yet to discuss technical details. While Audi says it’s \”targeting a broad international customer base,\” we don’t expect that to include the United States.\n\nMarc Urbano|Car and Driver\nA new generation of the Q7 SUV is coming this year.\nBut Audi is launching some important new models that are U.S.-bound this year, most notably the Q9. As the name suggests, this new model will sit above the Q7 in Audi’s lineup as its largest SUV, and Audi says the Q9 is \”specially tailored to the needs of customers\” in the United States. Details are sparse so far, but we expect the Q9 to feature hybrid and gas powertrains, possibly with a V-8-powered SQ9 variant.\n\nWhile the Q9 will top Audi’s arsenal of SUVs, it won’t necessarily be the brand’s flagship for long. Audi closed the order books for its current flagship sedan, the A8, in Germany, according to Automotive News, and the sedan, which battles the Mercedes-Benz S-class, is expected to exit the U.S. market after the 2026 model year.\n\nJames Lipman|Car and Driver\nAudi plans to refresh the Q4 e-tron this year.\nBut A8’s departure isn’t permanent: Motor1 reached out to Audi and was told that \”the decision on an A8 successor has been taken and we intend to present it towards the end of this decade.\” It’s unclear exactly what shape this new flagship will take. Previously, Audi teased an A8 replacement with the 2021 Grandsphere, which was supposed to spawn an EV that was internally dubbed the \”Landyacht\” before the project was canceled.\n\nAlong with the Q9, Audi’s commitment to U.S. customers will be bolstered with the third-generation Q7 SUV, also launching this year. The Q7 will wear a fresh design and will likely feature a range of gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The SQ7 is also expected to return, possibly with a hybridized V-8. Lastly, 2026 will bring a refreshed version of the Q4 e-tron, with tweaked front and rear styling and possibly revised batteries to eke out more range. More details on Audi’s busy 2026 should emerge in the coming months.\n\n\nIn 2026, Audi is orchestrating a significant recalibration of its portfolio, introducing an array of models that signal a strategic pivot toward electrification, larger utility vehicles, and the resurrection of iconic nameplates. The German luxury automaker is not merely refreshing its lineup; it is actively reshaping its market presence with a clear emphasis on the North American consumer. This year marks the debut of the next-generation Q7, the introduction of the range-topping Q9 SUV, and the much-anticipated revival of the compact A2, reimagined as the A2 e-tron. This strategic gambit reflects Audi’s response to shifting global consumer preferences, the evolving demands of the electric vehicle era, and the imperative to maintain its competitive edge against titans like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.\n\nFrom an industry analyst’s perspective, the timing and nature of these introductions are particularly telling. The decision to launch a flagship Q9 SUV specifically tailored for the U.S. market underscores the growing significance of the premium SUV segment in North America, a segment where size, luxury, and technological sophistication often dictate market success. Concurrently, the A2 e-tron concept, while likely confined to European markets, serves as a potent symbol of Audi’s commitment to efficient urban mobility and its willingness to experiment with unconventional vehicle architectures. This duality—catering to the American appetite for larger vehicles while simultaneously championing compact, efficient urban mobility in Europe—highlights the complex balancing act that luxury automakers must perform in a fragmented global marketplace.\n\nCentral to Audi’s 2026 offensive is the launch of the Q9, a vehicle positioned to challenge the established hierarchy of the full-size luxury SUV segment. With projections suggesting that this model will slot above the current Q7, the Q9 represents Audi’s most ambitious foray into this lucrative segment to date. The initial murmurs from the company suggest a vehicle designed with a distinct awareness of North American consumer expectations, implying a focus on interior space, ride comfort, and advanced driver-assistance systems that are highly valued in this market. This strategic move is not without its risks, as the full-size SUV segment is already a fiercely contested arena, populated by established players with long-standing reputations for excellence. However, Audi’s consistent track record in delivering high-quality, technology-laden vehicles suggests that the Q9 could emerge as a formidable contender, potentially drawing buyers away from competitors who may be perceived as less innovative or less attuned to the evolving demands of the modern luxury consumer.\n\nThe A2 e-tron, on the other hand, represents a more philosophical statement from Audi. The original A2, produced between 1999 and 2005, was a marvel of engineering, characterized by its innovative aluminum spaceframe construction and its commitment to lightweight efficiency. While it was not a commercial success in its time, it has since garnered a cult following among automotive enthusiasts who appreciate its avant-garde design and its unwavering focus on practicality. The revival of this nameplate as an all-electric vehicle is a clever marketing move, allowing Audi to tap into a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously signaling its dedication to the principles of efficient urban mobility. For industry observers, the A2 e-tron serves as a barometer of Audi’s commitment to the compact EV segment, a segment that has proven to be more challenging to monetize than initially anticipated. Whether this new iteration can overcome the commercial hurdles that plagued its predecessor remains to be seen, but its potential impact on Audi’s brand image and its ability to showcase its technological prowess in the realm of compact electric vehicles should not be underestimated.\n\nThe broader context of Audi’s 2026 strategy must also be considered through the lens of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group. The group’s ambitious electrification goals and its ongoing efforts to streamline its brand portfolio have created a dynamic environment for all its marques. Audi, as a key luxury player within the group, is expected to lead the charge in specific segments, particularly those that align with its brand identity and its perceived strengths. The decision to discontinue the
