Audi Sport has unveiled the new 591bhp RS Q8 SUV, powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine and with styling inspired by the rally-derived Sport Quattro S1, as the ‘spearhead’ of its range.
The BMW X6M rival, revealed at the Los Angeles motor show, is the first large SUV produced by Audi’s performance arm. It joins the recently revealed RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback in a planned line-up of hot crossovers, and Audi Sport boss Oliver Hoffman claims it features “the genes of a true high-performance sports car”.
The RS Q8 has received a substantial makeover from the regular Audi Q8, including a revamped singleframe grille and large front air intake. While the track is unchanged from standard versions, bespoke trim strips widen the body by 10mm at the front and 5mm at the rear. The machine also features custom sills, and a bespoke downforce-generating RS roof spoiler. The rear of the car features a bespoke diffuser and large quad exhausts.
Several key design features of the RS Q8, including the air intakes, black panel on the rear and ‘hockey stick’ design details on the rear corner, are designed to echo the Sport Quattro, effectively the first Audi Sport model developed in the 1980s as a ‘homologation special’ for the Group B rally car.
RS Q8 product manager Markus Eberle said making a true RS model out of the Q8 was a tough challenge, both because of the SUV’s size and weight and its breadth of ability. He said: “It demanded a lot. We didn’t want to lose the comfort and drivability of the Q8, or its off-road ability, but we wanted to add performance so that it was suitable for the race track.”
The biturbo V8 powerplant is boosted by a 48V mild hybrid starter generator to offer 591bhp and 590lb ft of torque, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.8secs and a limited top speed of 155mph (189mph with the optional dynamic package).
Power is delivered to all four wheels by an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a mechanical centre differential able to distribute power as needed. There is also torque control and an optional quattro sport differential that can shift torque between the rear wheels. The mild hybrid system allows engine-off coasting between 34 and 99mph, and regenerates energy under braking.
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TOTALLY AGREE JMAX
yeh the power and torque with this 'awesome' hybrid drive-train is insane but just dont ask about the weight penalty. and saving the world! if you are that concerned you should be looking at the news on the prius or something rather than a car with twice the cylinders and more the double the litres. if they wanted to make this good for the environment they would have to put the exuast gases into pressurised canasters and bring them to space and dump them.
Lack of scale and the green
Lack of scale and the green paintwork makes that front 3/4 view look like a vRS Scala. Not a complement to either vehicle.
Who gives a
I'm jolly glad they aren't. We need these German brands to keep producing cars with proper engines in them.
Business plan for the future: have a range of electric cars for the mass market and then some more upmarket ICU cars with V8s and V10s and V12s to maintain some decency.