Speaking at a celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of Audi Sport, division boss Sebastian Grams gave an intriguing hint at plans to take the engine to new heights before it is retired in line with Audi's wider electrification strategy.
These latest spy shots show the Audi Q8 is getting ready for its mid-life update, which will see the exterior gain a comprehensive redesign and bring fresh technology to the cabin.
This early glimpse at the new version, which will in all likelihood be revealed next year, looks set to embrace only a small number of cosmetic revisions for its mid-life spruce up.
The new SUV, which has already undergone extensive testing, will be significantly smaller than the Aero Sport Lounge concept, which measured five metres in length.