New Audi Q8 wafts into South Africa

While some might argue that Audi has entered this segment too late, the question many will be asking is whether the prolonged hiatus has been worth it. I recently headed down to Cape Town to find out.

What is Q8?

It is no surprise that the upper echelon SUV market is growing and that manufacturers are channeling much of their resources to the development of new and exciting conventional SUV alternatives. The Q8 is essentially a sportier focused SUV that features a coupe-like design. It sits atop the same MLB Evo platform which underpins the Q7, albeit slightly shorter, lower and wider.

The design

In terms of styling, I think that the wait was worth it. The Q8 is, in my opinion, the best looking SUV Audi has on sale today, and is more striking than the X6, though not as elegant as the aging GLE coupé. It features a muscular and head-turning front end, something which was noticeable around the streets of the Mother City. The model I drove came with a blacked-out surround finish for the Singleframe grille and satin silver slats, as well as the brand’s new Matrix LED headlights that come as standard.

When viewed from the side, one can easily notice the iconic quattro blisters on the front and rear wheel arches. These give the car a sporty look and the sloping roofline makes it seem as if it is in motion even when standing still. Another new feature is the segment first frameless doors similar to that of the A7. However, the rear facia rates the biggest highlight thanks to the full-width taillight cluster that first debuted on the new A8, and black detailing just below the third-brake light Overall, the Q8 looks the business and definitely stands out, in addition to providing a glimpse of what could be expected from the four rings in terms of design going ahead.

That interior

Audi has always had a reputation of going to great lengths to ensure that its interior is top-notch, though, in the Q8, the designers in Ingolstadt have taken this one step further. Like the A8, the design is stylish and modern with not only impeccable levels of fit-and-finish but a focus on technology with the all-digital 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display instrument cluster being supplemented by a 10.1-inch central display for the MMI plus infotainment system, and a smaller 8.6-inch setup located at the base of the facia that houses the functions for the quad-zone climate control. The functionality of both screens is extremely similar to that of a modern smartphones or tablets, which also offers haptic feedback along with improved MMI software and a writing pad for further ease.

Is it practical?

In terms of space, the Q8 loses two of the Q7’s seats leaving only five, though head-and-legroom in the rear is decent with a claimed boot space of 605-litres, or up to 1 755-litres with the rears dropped.

The drive

For starters, the Q8 is offered with a choice of three different suspension setups; the standard coil springs with adaptive dampers, adaptive air suspension and a sports air suspension. Despite riding on 20-inch alloy wheels, the Q8 can be specified with either 21 or 22-inch rollers as an option, with the model I piloted being equipped with the ‘middle’ choice. In this form, the overall ride quality was comfortable and rough roads negotiated with ease, however, the optional rear wheel steering system, that is supposed to aid parking and manoeuvring, took a little longer to get used to.

Petrol power for now

Initially, Audi will offer the Q8 with a single engine option, the familiar 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 that carries the 55 TFSI moniker and which produces 250 kW and 500 N.m of torque. A 3.0 TDI model, known as the 45 TDI, will arrive later in the year with a confirmed output of 170 kW and 500 N.m. A first for Audi in South Africa though, both motors are paired to a 48-volt electric motor for a mild-hybrid setup, which in the case of the 55 TFSI, allows for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

According to Audi, the application of the mild-hybrid tech can recover as much as 12 kW for later usage, in addition to re-starting and cutting the engine off at speeds below 22 km/h, which contributes to a claimed consumption figure of 8.9 L/100 km. Not expected to provide the same surge of lowdown grunt as the diesel, I found the petrol to be more than capable of getting the job done, and although it lacks that characteristic shove of an oil-burner, it is otherwise pretty effortless.

Verdict

The Audi Q8 most definitely looks the part of a modern sporty SUV, which it backs-up with the level of technology on offer. With a sticker price of R1 388 000, the 55 TFSI also comes across as good value given the extensive range of standard equipment, and, as mentioned, an appeal that is hard to match.