One would tend to think that with the Audi Q7, the Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley Bentayga SUV, the Volkswagen group has covered all grounds in the SUV segment. However, in January, Audi unveiled the Q8 SUV Concept that will spawn a new ‘Q’ model in the coming years. Now, the Ingolstadt-based car maker has come up with the Q8 Sport Concept, which is based on the Audi Q8 SUV concept shown earlier. Making its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the Audi Q8 Sport previews the upcoming Audi SQ8 SUV. The all-new Audi Q8 SUV will become the new flagship SUV from the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer. It will be underpinned by VW’s MLB (Modular Longitudinal Architecture) platform.
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Audi Q8 Launch Date
| Expected Launch Date | Early 2018 |
The Audi Q8 SUV is expected to go on sale in early-2018. The new Audi Q8 SUV will rival its own cousins, the Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley Bentayga. Speculations are rife that Audi already has set an annual production target of 25,000 units with the Q8. The new Audi Q8 SUV will rub shoulders with the A8 sedan in terms of pricing. Audi has already released official images of the Q8 concept. It has made its public debut at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show.
Audi Q8 Price in India
| Expected Price | Rs 1 Crore |
It’s a bit early to expect Audi India to announce the official price of Q8 SUV in India. However, it’s very likely that the upcoming Audi Q8 SUV will have an ex-showroom price of Rs 1 Crore.
Audi Q8 Specifications
| Engine | 3.0-litre TFSI V6 Petrol engine + Electric Motor |
| Max. Power | 476 hp + 20 kW |
| Peak Torque | 700 Nm |
| 0-100 KMPH | 4.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h |
As the new Audi Q8 Sport concept previews, there will be a SQ8 performance version. The Q8 Sport concept seen in the lead image combines a 3.0-litre TFSI V6 Petrol engine that outputs 476 hp and 700 Nm, and is supported by a 20kW electric motor. It also gets an electronic compressor to keep turbo lag under check. The Q8 Sport can has a 0-100 KMPH timing of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h. In all likelihood, this engine will make it to the SQ8 SUV.
The regular Audi Q8 SUV will offer V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines that will be high on power but low on emissions. Audi might also bring in a couple of hybrid versions (plug-in hybrids) to take on the Tesla. As a product naming strategy, Audi is known to use odd numbers like Q3 and Q5 for regular SUVs and even numbers like Q4 and Q6 will be sportier breeds of the regular ones. If that holds on, then the Q8 will definitely pack a lot of punch. According to some sources close to the development, the Q8 will weigh 300kgs lighter than today’s Q7.
Audi Q8 SUV Design
The Q8 is likely to be a cross between a SUV and a Sport Coupe. However, it will be bigger and probably look much more premium than the Q7, the Mercedes GLE and the BMW X6. The Q8 will not be a boxy SUV. Rather, it will be a more stylish, coupe-like crossover as all upcoming even numbered Audi SUVs are to be. Based on the images of the concept car here, the Q8 will be instantly recognisable as an Audi with its gaping hexagonal grille and sleek LED headlamps. It looks much more sporty than the Q7. If the images of the Q8 concept are anything to go by, the upcoming SUV will definitely be a head turner.
Even its interior look very futuristic, but unmistakably Audi. Expect the cabin of the production spec Q8 to reek of quality materials and large touchscreen interfaces. Glossy black surfaces dominate the dashboard of the concept. There are barely any physical buttons in the cabin of the concept SUV. Expect that number to go up once the production-ready model is revealed. From the looks of it, the Q8 will be a strict 4 or 5 seater.
Audi Q8 SUV Concept Images
Talking to Welt, Lichte said, “From some customers’ point-of-view, we lacked the necessary differentiation. This will change in the future. Every new Audi model will have its own character and express it in its formal language – both in the exterior and in the interior.”
Stay tuned for latest news updates on Audi Q8 SUV Launch Date, Price, Specifications and even the Audi Q8 India launch date and price expectations.
