RS Q8
As one of the 11 SUV models Audi plans to roll out by 2020, the RS Q8, as evident by the black-and-white masking, will get RS-specific front and rear bumpers, wider wheel arches and door sills, a honeycomb grille instead of the standard model’s new six slash setup. The performance model will alos get bigger brakes as well as oval-shaped exhausts.

The interior meanwhile will mirror that of the regular Q8, but with RS touches likely to consists out of a bespoke 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display, sport seats, model specific materials and a choice of unique colours.

Sharing the same MLB Evo platform with the Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, and Lamborghini Urus, the RS Q8 will likely employ its Italian cousin’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, and produce the same 485kW/850Nm with drive going to all four wheels via Audi’s rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive system.

According to reports, the RS Q8 could debut towards the end of 2018 but expect it to go on sale only in 2019.

A6 Allroad

With the standard A6 Avant already out but not expected to reach South Africa at any stage, the SUV-like A6 Allroad could very well prove to be an alternative for buyers not seeking a full-on SUV.

Spied in the Austrian Alps also where the RS Q8 was snapped, the still heavily disguised Allroad will benefit from cladding around the wheel arches, door sills and bumpers, as well as a slightly raised ride height and roof rails. Boot space will remain unchanged from the standard Avant though, with 562-litres available or up to 1 680-litres with the rear seats folded flat.

As it will rival the Mercedes-Benz E-class All-Terrain and the Volvo V90 Cross Country, the A6 Allroad will come fitted with quattro all-wheel drive as standard, and like the standard Avant and sedan, powered by a single TFSI or TDI engine, both displacing 3.0-litres, featuring a 48-volt battery system for a mild-hybrid setup. Power for the former is rated at 250kW/500Nm and at 210kW/620Nm for the latter.

Sales of the Allroad in Europe are expected to commence towards the end of the year or in early 2019.

RS6 Avant

Captured along with the RS Q8, the RS6 Avant, posing here as a regular A6 Avant 55 TFSI, will slot in above the already potent S6 Avant, and as evident by the images, have a more aggressive appearance despite it wearing only masking on the front bumper.

Unlike its more “subdued” S sibling, the RS6 will forego the 2.9-litre TFSI V6 for the same 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 expected to power the Audi RS7, which will deliver some 485 kW and mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

An on-going rumour though is that a hybrid model could be offered, which, if proven correct, could utilise the same 4.0-litre mill mated to a 100kW electric motor similar to that of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, with outputs of 500kW/850Nm.

Given the thin layer of disguise relative to the RS Q8 and A6 Allroad, the RS6 Avant could very well debut before the Paris Motor Show in October, with sales set to start towards the end of the year.

IMAGES from motor1.com