Audi recently introduced the Q8, which claims to offer the best of both worlds.
It aims to blend the elegance of a four-door coupé with the convenience of an SUV. Looking at the photos and specifications, it’s hard to disagree.
The Q8 makes a bold style statement, from the front and rear. The roofline is much lower than on the Q7, but the Q8 is shorter and wider. It has some serious stance, and the performance to back it up.
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For now the Q8 is available with Audi’s 3.0TDI engine, connected to a mild hybrid system. It generates 210kW and delivers 600Nm of torque to the crankshaft. It accelerates the large SUV from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3. The power is sent to Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
On the practicality front, the Q8 is well sorted. The luggage space with all seats in place is 605 litres, which can be extended to 1755 by folding the rear seats flat. The tailgate can be opened and closed electrically as standard. The electric luggage compartment cover is another convenience option. Guided on rails, it automatically retracts when the tailgate is opened and is extended again upon closing.
The paint range for the Audi Q8 offers twelve colours which underline the striking design, including the latest colours dragon orange and galaxy blue. A full-body paint finish extending to the wheel arches is standard. On S line models, matt grey elements further increasing the effect of the Singleframe, the blade, the sill trim and the diffuser insert. These elements are finished in titanium black for the Vorsprung edition.
For the interior of the Audi Q8, customers can choose from several colours and configurations. In S line configuration, the front sport seats with integrated head restraints, an S logo and rhombus pattern are upholstered in leather/alcantara, with the option of Valcona leather available to order separately. Inlays in aluminium are fitted as standard for a distinctive interior contrast.
Vorsprung specification gains contoured Super Sport seats upholstered in Valcona leather as standard, with massaging and ventilation functions optionally available.
MMI navigation plus with MMI Touch also includes the Audi virtual cockpit as standard. Its high-resolution 12.3 inch display can be switched between two views – classic and navigation – with the multi-function steering wheel. After market launch, the Audi virtual cockpit plus will offer a third interface with a particularly focused look. The head-up display, a standard feature for Vorsprung models, projects important information onto the windscreen, including detailed lane guidance for navigation.