The Audi RS Q8 is powered by a 4.0L Twin-turbo V8 engine and although its relatively slower and less powerful than its immediate rival – the Lamborghini Urus – for its price, its a whole lot cheaper as well.
Audi India has added yet another high-profile model to their lineup. In fact, this is the second back to back Audi RS model launch in India. The Audi RS Q8 has been launched in India today for a price of Rs 2.07 crore (ex-showroom, India). That make it Rs 74 lakh more expensive than the standard V6-powered Q8 which is priced at Rs 1.33 crore. The high-performance RS Q8 is essentially a rival to the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe in India.
Can you tell the Audi RS Q8 apart from the standard Q8? Of course you can. This is an RS car and it shouts out its sporty credentials quite boldly. The RS Q8 gets a revised grille design with huge air dams and lots of carbon fibre. Although the side profile is mostly identical, the huge 23-inch wheels looks distinctive and at the rear, the R8 Q8 gets larger dual exhaust, a diffuser and also a bespoke roof spoiler.
Stepping inside, the basic dashboard layout is identical to that of the standard Q8. However, it gets many RS-specific touches like an RS steering wheel, RS-specific drive modes and RS-specific graphics for the infotainment and digital instrument screen. The RS Q8 also gets bespoke sports seats up front, which is a really sporty touch. The dual-screen infotainment system also continues to be highlight of the interiors of the RS Q8.
What’s under the hood is what’s really special about the RS Q8. It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that produces 600 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. In fact, this same engine also powers the recently launched RS7 Sportback but more importantly, the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe as well. All Volkswagen group cars you see. The Audi RS Q8 is down on power and torque compared to the Lamborghini Urus (650hp and 850Nm) but it is more than the Cayenne Turbo Coupe (550hp and 770Nm).
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Thi engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi claims the RS Q8 can sprint from 0-100 kph in just 3.8 seconds. The RS Q8 also comes equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system and cylinder-deactivation technology. The brakes and suspension components too have been upgraded over the standard Q8 to better handle the extra power and torque and also make it sporty.
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The Audi RS Q8 is also kitted out with other fancy goodies like an LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, all-wheel steering, sports adaptive air suspension, two configurable RS drive modes, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument screen, 360-degree cameras, powered tailgate, hands-free parking and more. This being Audi’s flagship SUV, you can further spec it with features like a panoramic sunroof, Matrix LED headlamps, a B&O Advanced sound system, an RS Sports exhaust, electromechanical roll stabilisation and a heads-up display.
