We Q'ant W8.
Audi’s newest and most stylish SUV yet, the Q8, has made its Australian landfall. With its tapered roofline and tech-laden cabin, the coupe-like high rider now sits at the top of the Ingolstadt automaker’s line-up of Q series vehicles.
Deliveries aren’t due to start until January 2019, but the order books are already open, allowing interested local buyers to get their paws on the earliest sets of keys handed out. For the privilege, the Q8 asks for $128,900, not including on-road costs.
There are only two configurations available, and the prices are identical between the single 55 TFSI petrol or 50 TDI diesel. Both receive turbocharged V6 motors and arrive with Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive system. Either engine is a familiar member of the existing powertrain package deployed in other models, though in Australia the 210kW TDI option will arrive only “later in 2019”.
On to the petrol V6 then, which develops 250kW and 500Nm thanks to twin-scroll turbocharging and a 48-volt mind-hybrid system which also helps to save fuel by recouping energy through brake-heat regeneration and start-stop. Despite being a hefty SUV, 100km/h arrives in just 5.9 seconds from rest.
Audi has stuffed the Q8 with safety kit, boasting no fewer than 39 passive and active assistance systems that monitor both driver and occupant - highlights include a 360-degree camera system, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, a head-up display, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control, and of course, AEB.
Elsewhere, the flagship Q8 appropriately receives an extensive equipment list. Both the petrol and diesel are sold with the sportier S Line trim package, which adds 21-inch alloys, LED headlights, adaptive suspension, automatic tailgate, premium Valcona leather interior upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, MMI Navigation Plus with Audi Virtual Cockpit, wireless smartphone charging, and 180W 10-speaker audio system.
As with all Audis, however, buyers are able to delve into a deep reservoir of options, such as adding air suspension and dynamic all-wheel steering to respectively improve the Q8’s comfort and dynamics.
Here, buyers are presented with the $11,000 Premium Plus package which brings even larger 22-inch alloys, the aforementioned Adaptive Air Suspension system, HD Matrix LED headlights, quad-zone climate control, comprehensive interior ambient lighting, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. For a little more opulence, though, the $8,900 Full Leather package which basically uses fine Nappa leather every interior surface Audi could.
"The Audi Q8 promises to make an emphatic impact when it arrives in Australia in January," said Shawn Ticehurst, Product Planning and Pricing Director.
"The Q8 is characterised by its bold and contemporary design, both inside and out, and it boasts an incredible level of advanced features. It sets the benchmark for infotainment, connectivity and the superb quality of its cabin, which is all backed up with the kind of performance and efficiency credentials that have made the Audi Q family such a success over more than the last decade.
"The first wave of Q8s are already in very high customer demand, and we're confident that interest will only ramp up when there are more of these stunning vehicles out on the road," said Mr Ticehurst.
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