Audi will concentrate on electric crossovers.

Audi has abandoned plans to offer its next-gen with an electric powertrain. Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Audi’s chief development officer, confirmed the decision to Automotive News Europe by saying that the company will instead increase the plug-in hybrid’s driving range to 47 km (29.2 miles).”

Bram Schot, Chairman of Audi AG’s Board of Management, was elected to the 2019 Annual General Meeting. An electric A8 was announced as an option . “The Audi A8’s next generation could be all-electric. Schott stated that although it hasn’t been decided yet, he can easily imagine it. “We’re looking at revolutionizing the top-end segment with a totally new concept for A8.” Schott also spoke out about the possibility of electric powertrains in the next TT or R8. We don’t know if the A8 will be the last model to make it to the market, given the A8’s new course.

Audi plans to make its future electric models crossover-friendly. According to Automotive News Europe the company believes that the EV utility market grows much faster than the premium sedan market.

Audi’s decision to not build an electric version the A8 puts it at odds with its German counterparts: the BMW 7 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Both models will get EV versions for the next generation.

Audi offers the plug-in hybrid A8 60 TFSIe (gallery below) as an option for its sedan. The sedan’s 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine is combined with an electric motor to produce 443 horsepower (330kilowatts) as well as 516 pound-feet (706 Newton-meters). The WLTP test cycle shows that the powertrain can travel more than 25 miles (40 km) on its own. The price in the United States starts at $94,995 with a $995 destination charge.