--- title: "Electric Audi A8 Design Possibly Leaked in Patent Filing [UPDATED]" description: "Does this recently-published patent drawing give us a sneak peek at Audi's next flagship saloon?" date: "2023-01-30" modified: "2023-01-30" authors: - name: "James Gilboy" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/audi-a8-e-tron-ev-design-possibly-leaked-by-patent-filing" categories: - "Audi News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Electric Audi A8 Design Possibly Leaked in Patent Filing \[UPDATED\] ![Possible leaked Audi A8 E-Tron EV design]() *\Audi via the USPTO\* Last week, Audi confirmed that the electric version of its full-size A8 luxury sedan would track closely to the design of the Grandsphere concept, a huge, low-slung, fastback-looking thing. So does this recently-published patent drawing matching that description give us a sneak peek at Audi's next flagship saloon? ***UPDATE 1/30/2023 @ 6:30pm ET:** Following publication of our initial story, Audi reached out to say that the design patent is actually for the Audi A6 E-Tron concept from 2021. We have no proof either way at this point, but it bears a strong resemblance to that concept, and its wheelbase does look more A6-sized than A8. The original story continues below.* The design was registered by [Audi]() with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and published Jan. 10. It's described as "the ornamental design for a motor vehicle, toy vehicle replica and/or other replica," and shows a sedan of a similar design to 2021's Audi Grandsphere concept. Given Audi recently confirmed that the A8 E-Tron is coming within the next couple of years, this could be our first look at its design. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We can tell a handful of details about the car shown in the patent, starting with its filled-in grille, which tells us it's almost certainly an EV. There are cutouts in the roof for a rear liftgate, so this is likely a near-production design, and stalks with small pods on their ends instead of mirrors. This could indicate the A8 E-Tron uses cameras in place of conventional side mirrors, which would reduce drag but increase complexity and cost. They're [probably not coming to U.S.-market models, though](). The A8 E-Tron was confirmed last week by Audi's design lead Marc Lichte, and will be one of [more than 20 Audi EVs coming by 2026](). Little is known about its mechanical makeup, though *[Carscoops]()* indicates it'll use the PPE platform Audi developed with [Porsche](). That'd mean commonality with the smaller A6 E-Tron (also confirmed) and [Porsche Macan EV](). The A8 E-Tron is reportedly expected to utilize an 800-volt drivetrain and 120-kWh battery, and could match the Grandsphere concept's estimated 0-to-60 mph in the low four-second range. ![]() ![]() That's far from the performance offered by the [Tesla Model S Plaid]() or [Mercedes-AMG EQS](), but Audi's biggest sedan has never emphasized performance in the first place. Besides, that's what [the TT and R8's electric successors]() will be for. Sometimes speed and comfort are sometimes best kept separate, even if Audi has proven it can [blend the two without issue](). *Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com* ## Author James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids." ### Author social links [Instagram]()