Striking Audi Q8 priced

Unveiled in June last year but shown for the first time on local soil at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring in November, the Q8 slots-in above the Q7 as Ingolstadt’s newest halo model, and rides on the same MLB Evo platform also used by the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga.

With dimensions of 4 986 mm in overall length, 1 995 mm in width, a height of 1 705 mm and wheelbase of 2 995 mm, the Q8 comes in at 66 mm shorter and 27 mm wider than the Q7 with seating for five as opposed to seven, with Audi further claiming a boot space of 605-litres or up to 1 755-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down.

Essentially the production version of the concept of the same name shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit the previous year, the Q8’s styling has been toned down significantly, though still comes with the brand’s latest Singleframe grille whose thicker surrounds are claimed to resemble a mask, standard Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indictors and, for the first time on an Audi SUV, frameless windows.

Made mostly out of aluminium and offering up to 254 mm of ground clearance with Audi’s Adaptive Damper and Suspension system standard and the Adaptive Air Suspension optional, the Q8’s also comes with optional rear-wheel steering, a self-locking centre differential and Audi’s Drive Select mode selector which, when switched to Dynamic mode, can drop the overall ride height by up to 90 mm.

Inside, the Q8’s interior takes after that of the new A8 and consists of an all-digital layout made up of the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display dashboard, the 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system and a smaller 8.6-inch display located as the base of the facia that serves as the climate control interface.

In terms of standard equipment, the Q8 rides on 20-inch cast alloy wheels and further comes with the Audi Smartphone Interface, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 23-speaker 3D Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system, a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror, quad-zone climate control, four-way lumbar support for the front electric seats, heated, auto-dimming and folding exterior mirrors that also lowers and comes with a memory function, a panoramic glass sunroof, illuminated S branded scuff plates, tyre pressure monitor, electric tailgate, Audi Phone Box and ambient lighting.

On the safety front, the Q8 comes with Adaptive Cruise Control, a 360 degree camera system, Night Vision Assist, Emergency Assist, Active Lane Assist and Pre-Sense Front as well as turn Assist, and Lane Change Warning.

From the options list, buyers can also specify three S line packages; the Black which adds 22-inch alloys, black roof rails, the S line exterior pack with gloss black detailing, black mirrors, red brake callipers and the Adaptive Air Suspension, the Platinum that features the same additions but drops the black touches and the roof rails for a platinum finished grille, and finally, the S line Sport interior pack that builds on the standard specification list by adding a black headliner, S inserts, stainless pedals, S sport seats, brushed aluminium detailing, exterior S badging and a stainless boot edge protector.

Providing motivation, the Q8 will initially be offered with a single engine, the familiar 3.0 TFSI that punches out 250 kW and 500 N.m of torque. Carrying the 55 TFSI designation as per Audi’s new naming structure revealed last year, the motor is paired to a 48-volt electric motor for a mild-hybrid setup, and can store as much as 12 kW of power for later use. Claimed reduce consumption by 0.7 L/100 km, the setup still allows the Q8 to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 250 km/h. As ever, drive is routed to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox, with Audi claiming a combined fuel consumption of 8.9 L/100 km.

Due out in mid-2019, Audi will add a turbodiesel derivative in the form of the 45 TDI whose electrically-assisted 3.0-litre V6 motor will punch out 170 kW and 500 N.m and paired to the same quattro/eight-speed Tiptronic drivetrain. Expect the diesel’s spec level to be the same with claimed consumption from 6.4 L/100 km.

Priced from R1 388 000, the Q8 will be available in a choice of twelve colours and come with a five year/100 000 km Audi Driveway Plan as standard.