Flagship SUV finally breaks cover with aggressive looks and mild-hybrid tech.
That’s a quite a big nose!
Welcome to the all-new Q8, Audi’s answer for the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and, if slightly smaller in size, Range Rover Velar.
First shown as a concept last year, the new flagship SUV from Ingolstadt sports a pronounced single-frame octagonal front grille that should form as the inspiration for future sporty SUVs carrying the even-number badge.
Apart from featuring rear lamps running the width of the vehicle, the Q8 can take wheels up to 22 inches in size.
Measuring nearly 5m in length and 2m in width, the Q8 is based on today’s Q7. But as the latter has a longer body to accommodate three rows of seats in some markets, the Q8 has shorter overhangs as it is a strict five-seater.
Like in all of Audi’s latest models, the sporty Q8 has a hi-tech interior boasting digital screens.
What’s the mild hybrid tech hooked up with?
Like in the A6, A7 Sportback and A8, the Q8 initially comes in two guises incorporating 48V mild hybrid, four-wheel steering and Quattro capable of splitting 40% of torque to the front wheels and 60% to the rear ones under normal driving conditions.
The duo use 3.0-litre V6 engines. The petrol version is the 340hp 55 TFSI, while the diesel variant is the 286hp 50 TDI.
As both models are currently available in the Thai Q7 range, there’s a chance the Q8 might be considered with both options when global sales start toward the end of this year after hitting Europe in the third quarter.
Isn't the X6 getting old?
Yes it is. But as BMW has already revealed the first details of the new X5 this week, expect the next-gen X6 to follow suit in less than a year based on its practicality-oriented cousin.
The same goes for the GLE Coupe which would also see a replacement soon for the 6-8 million baht of sporty SUVs in Thailand.
And while Lexus has already previewed a concept called LF-1 Limitless pointing to a potential rival for this segment, Porsche is reportedly gearing up for a sporty version of today’s Cayenne.
Due to intense competition in this particular corner of the luxury SUV market, Audi has freely talked about a high-performance Q8 RS that could eventually follow by next year.
