Ingolstadt’s rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X6, the Q8, as previously reported, rides on the same MLB Evo platform as the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga and Volkswagen Touareg and indeed Audi’s own Q7, with respective dimensions of 4 986mm in overall length, 1 995mm in width, a height of 1 705mm and wheelbase of 2 995mm. Boot space is rated at 605-litres or up to 1 755-litres with the rear seats folded down.
Despite sharing the same platform as its Volkswagen Group siblings, the coupe-styled, five-seat Q8 comes in at 66 mm shorter and 27 mm wider than the seven-seat Q7, while retaining a number of styling cues shown on the concept that debuted in Detroit last year.
Likely to preview the next generation of Q models, the Q8 adopts Audi’s newest octagonal shaped Singleframe grille with six upright bars, thicker surrounds claimed to resemble a mask that connects with the new LED headlights, a wider front apron, connecting strip between the rear light similar to that of the new A7 and frameless windows.
Made mostly from aluminium but still ticking the scales at 2 145kg, the Q8 not only sports the same interior as the A8 with Audi’s latest 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display, upper 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system and 8.6-inch climate control interface taking centre stage, but underneath its skin, offers the option of an adaptive air suspension that lowers the ride height by 90mm when in Dynamic mode, or provides up to 254mm of clearance when going off-road.
Riding on 21-inch alloy wheels as standard or 22s on the new Vorsprung model that also adds a six-piston front brake caliper setup, Matrix headlights and rear wheel steering, notable driver assistance systems consists of Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Efficiency Assist, Park Plus Assist, 360 degree camera, Lane Change Warning and from next year, Garage Pilot and auto Trailer Assist.
In terms of standard equipment, either optional or standard, the Q8 boasts heated and cooled massaging front seats, quad-zone climate control, LTE and Wi-Fi, Heads-Up Display, an automatic luggage cover and a 23-speaker 3D Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Providing forward motivation, the Q8 will go on sale in Europe with a choice of two 3.0-litre V6 engines, both with an integrated 48-volt electric motor and mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with standard quattro all-wheel drive.
Under Audi’s new badge designation, the petrol powered Q8 will carry the 55 moniker and develop 330kW/700Nm, while the diesel will be known as the Q8 50 TDI and produce 210kW/600Nm. A less powerful version of the latter, which will be known as the 45 TDI and make 170kW, will be added a later stage. No word of a possible S or RS model has yet been made.
Production of the Q8 will commence at the same plant in Bratislava, Slovakia that makes the Touareg and Q7 during the third quarter of the year, with sales expected to start towards the end of 2018. While Audi South Africa is yet to confirm local availability of the Q8, expect it to arrive sometime next year if given the go-ahead.
