And there’s an oiler under the bonnet.
German carmaker Audi has pulled the wraps off its new SUV flagship, the Q8. Sitting above the Q7 (as you’d probably have guessed), the Q8 stands as Ingolstadt’s answer to the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, and BMW X6, and aims to offer unparalleled levels of luxury, performance, and capability to drivers and their chosen four passengers.
The Q8 was first previewed in Concept guise, and in the gestation from concept to production, precious little has changed. Sure, there are now proper door mirrors and conventional door handles, but save for those the production-spec Q8 has stayed pretty faithful to the concept car. Design elements like the sharp LED lights all round, the enormous Singleframe grille, pronounced haunches and 22-inch wheels (the biggest Audi’s ever offered) were chosen to designate the car as a ‘design halo’ for the rest of the range.
To make the Q8, Audi didn’t simply take a Q7 and make it bigger. Rather, the Q8 is a little shorter (thanks to shorter overhangs) and a little lower, though width has grown considerably. The result is a strict 5-seater that has more athletic proportions, without compromising on cabin space. There’s a small deficit to be paid in the boot though, with the Q7 capable of carrying more with the seats up or down. But the Q8’s cargo-lugging capabilities are still better than most, though.
Motivation comes, at launch, from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 oiler that’s been badged the 50TDI, producing 210kW and 600Nm. Later in its life there will be a 45TDI (same engine, but about 190kW) and a 55TFSI turbo-V6 petrol, with that producing a more exciting 330kW. Regardless of engine, power will be delivered to all four wheels via Audi’s proprietary Quattro all-wheel drive system, with transmission duties handled by a familiar 8-speed automatic.
The cabin isn’t quite as out-there as the concept car though, but it’s pretty futuristic nonetheless. It’s a similar setup as what we saw in the Audi A8 limousine, with a dual-screen infotainment system as well as a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display, which is standard. Highest-specification models will get things like HD Matrix LED headlights (thought LED ones are standard), Sports Seats up front, an automatic cargo cover for the rear, and a heads-up display.
As with any Audi, the options list is generous too. You’ll find things like adaptive cruise control with traffic jam pilot, and even a 23-speaker high-fidelity audio system from Bang & Olufsen.
The Audi Q8 will go on sale in Europe in the coming months, with Australian arrival slated for “early 2019.” Prices in the UK start at £65k, or about $115k in our money, which puts it above the Q7 (rightfully so) and within the ballpark of its contemporaries.
For more information on Audi, check out our Showroom.
