Audi Q8 breaks cover

The Q8 is based on the MLBevo platform that underpins many premium Volkswagen Group models.

After a long series of teasers, the Q8 has been revealed in all its glory as Audi’s new flagship high-riding vehicle.

It will sit above the Q7, however, the Q8 takes a completely different design approach as compared to the latter. Rather than being a gargantuan family hauler, the Q8 instead sports a SUV coupe vibe, thus making it smaller than the Q7. As per Audi, the Q8 is ready to combine the best of both worlds by offering the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe and the convenient versatility of a large SUV.

The Audi Q8 is also a representative of the progressive design language that Audi first brought onto the road with the new A8. With the imposing ‘Singleframe’ grille in octagonal design, the Audi Q8 debuts the new face of the Q family.

A wide mask connects the grille the distinctive headlights. The spoiler, which protrudes at the front, and the large, strongly contoured air intakes further highlight the aggressive look of the Q8.

Thanks to the frameless doors, the coupe-type roof line stretches low across the vehicle body visually, ending in the a long roof spoiler. In fact, with its coupe-style roof line, the Q8 appears much lower than its Q7 sister model. It is 66mm shorter, but 27mm wider than the latter.

Inside, the upper MMI touch response display is the central element of the interior of the Audi Q8. With its black-panel look, it almost dissolves into a large, black surface when switched off. The dashboard is slender and clean in typical Audi fashion.

The operating concept in the Q8’s interior focuses on two high-resolution touch displays. The upper display with 10.1-inch screen diagonal is used for controlling the infotainment and the navigation system. The lower 8.6-inch display allows the driver to manage the heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as comfort functions and text input.

Despite the backlash post Dieselgate, Audi is audaciously continuing with diesel on its new flagship SUV. Audi Q8 will be fitted with a 3.0-litre TDI engine generating 282bhp and 600Nm. A less powerful 228bhp version of this engine, along with a 335bhp petrol, will also be offered later on.

Audi is boasting its new mild hybrid technology (MHEV), which will be standard on Q8. It integrates a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter (BAS) into a 48V primary electrical system. The rechargeable battery is located underneath the luggage compartment floor and stores 10Ah of electrical capacity. During deceleration, the BAS can recover up to 12kW of energy.

The transmission of forces is provided by an 8-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox. With the permanent quattro all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of up to 254 mm, the Q8 can continue when paved roads end.

Deliveries of the Q8 in European markets will begin around August this year. Given Audi’s success with its Q series in India, the Q8’s arrival here is inevitable. However, a specific launch time frame is yet to be confirmed by Audi India. Expect the Q8 to be priced around the ₹1 crore mark in India.