Flagship Audi Q8 revealed

Previously we only had design sketches to ogle over but official details have now been released by the Ingolstadt-based brand.

The powerful design of the new Q8 SUV incorporates a thick single-frame grille with vertical chrome slats which also featured on the Q8 Concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 2017. The Q8’s imposing design is further emphasised with a creased bonnet, sleek Matrix LED headlights and gaping air intakes.

The aggressively-styled Q8 is set to rival the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and BMW X6.

Viewed from the side, the Q8 features a sloping roofline, raked C-Pillar and frameless windows to enhance it's coupe-like appearance. The new design language draws inspiration from the Ur-Quattro of the 1980s.

At the rear, the Q8 wears slim tail lights with a continuous brake light and trapezoidal dual exhausts. A dash of rugged appeal is added with front and rear skid plates and flaring side skirts. The look is rounded off with large wheels filling the arches.

Hardcore Volkswagen Golf R coming

David Taylor  4 Jun 2018

The Audi Q8 shares its MLB Evo platform with other models such as the Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. The Q8 will rival the likes of the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

On the inside, the driver is cocooned in leather with the interior design sharing similarities with the A6, A7 and A8. It's an all-digital affair inside the Q8 with Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit placed directly ahead of the driver. Furthermore, there are also 2 touchscreens found in the centre stack to take care of infotainment/navigation and in-car convenience feature settings.

In terms of practicality, the Q8 offers a large and spacious interior with the load bay measuring at 605 litres and expanding to 1 755 litres with the rear seats folded down. The tailgate is electrically operated and an electronic parcel shelf is offered as an option.

Engine power

The Q8 50 TDI is powered by 3.0-litre V6 engine with 213 kW and 600 Nm of torque and features mild-hybrid technology with a 40 V electric system incorporating a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator-starter. Audi says the system can recover up to 12 kW of power during braking and feed it back into the battery.

Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo: the best of both worlds?

Deon Schoeman  4 Jun 2018

The engine is mated to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission while quattro all-wheel drive ensures maximum traction. The Q8 will reportedly sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

The engine range will expand at a later stage with an additional turdodiesel engine joining the mix, as well as a potent 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with at least 253kW expected. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is also on the cards and the Q8 will also likely be offered in S and RS guise. The Q8 RS may even offer as much as 395kW.

The new Audi Q8 is built in Bratislava, Slovakia and will go on sale in Europe in Q3 of 2018. The new Q8 can be expected to reach South Africa later in 2018.

This article was originally published on Cars.co.za.