The all-new Audi Q8 is now available here in the UK, priced from £65,040 OTR with first deliveries to customers expected during September…
Retaining many of the design elements first seen in the styling of the 2019 Audi Q8 Sport concept that was shown at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the brand-new SUV explores a new segment within the Audi model range, combining versatility and practicality with a high level of specification and a stylish appearance.
With a distinctive front end, short rear overhang and a side profile featuring strong shoulders and quattro blisters the new 2019 Q8 presents a powerful dynamic appearance, especially with its imposing Singleframe grille in octagonal design. Featuring six vertical chrome fins and a wide mask connecting the grille to the distinctive headlights, a protruding front spoiler and large, strongly contoured air intakes it provides a strong frontal apearance.
‘COMPARED WITH THE Q7, ITS COUPÉ STYLE ROOF LINE GIVES THE Q8 A MUCH LOWER SLEEKER APPEARANCE…’
Frameless door windows and a coupé-style roof line ending in the long roof spoiler combine with a roof line which arches slightly towards sloping, strong D-pillars supported by wide, muscular contours, designed to be reminiscent of the traditional styling first pioneered on the iconic Ur quattro.
At the rear end a narrow, black high-gloss element with an integrated light strip extending between the rear lights, now a feature of the top Audi models, accentuate the width of the Q8 and create an independent light signature day or night, just like that of the original quattro. The distinctive rear diffuser has four vertical fins and an integrated tailpipe trim on each side.
Compared with the Q7, its coupé style roof line gives it a much lower sleeker appearance; at 4986 mm long, 1995mm wide and 1705mm tall, it is 66mm shorter, and 27mm wider. With a ground clearance of up to 254mm, the new SUV is even capable of mild off-road excursions.
With a wheelbase of nearly three metres, the Q8 provides plenty of interior space for five people and their luggage, with a load compartment capacity of 605 litres as standard, increasing to 1755 litres with the rear seat backrests folded.
The 2019 Audi Q8 50TDI is powered by a 286 PS / 600 Nm 3.0-litre V6 TDI with a mild hybrid system (MHEV) which integrates a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter (BAS) into a 48-volt primary electrical system. This allows the SUV to coast between 34 and 99 mph with the engine switched, with the BAS restarting the engine quickly and smoothly when required.
With this 3.0 V6 TDI, in conjunction with 8-speed Tiptronic auto transmision and four-wheel drive, the Q8 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 6.3 seconds and has a top speed of 152 mph. A 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol-engined model with 340 PS (Q8 55TFSI) will Follow early next year.
Inside, the operating is almost entirely touchscreen, with very few buttons or knobs, with the upper MMI touch response display featuring MMI Navigation Plus as standard. The 10.1-inch screen controls the infotainment and the navigation system, while a lower 8.6-inch display manages the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning as well as comfort functions and text input. The Q8 is available in two trim levels, S line and Vorsprung edition. S line models feature matt grey elements for the Singleframe grille, the blade, the sill trim and the diffuser insert, while these elements are fininished in titanium-black for the Vorsprung edition, which also features titanium black door mirrors.
With a comprehensive specification, even the entry-point S line features 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air Sport suspension and HD Matrix LED headlight package with Coming and Leaving Home animations. Inside, electrically adjustable, heated front Sport seats with driver’s seat memory and ‘S’ embossing are upholstered in leather and Alcantara, with interior inlays in darkened matt brushed aluminium. Audi Virtual Cockpit, 10-speaker Audi sound system, Audi Phone Box with wireless charging are also standard.
The flagship Vorsprung comes with 22-inch alloy wheels in a gloss anthracite black design, with 285/40 tyres. Inside, it has contoured Super Sport seats upholstered in Valcona leather, with driver and passenger memory settings and seat heating front and rear. The integrated rear bench seat plus system allows the rear seats to move fore and aft as required for greater interior or luggage space. An extended leather pack is upholstered to match the chosen colour of the seats and stitching, and lines the top of the instrument panel, the door armrests, door rails and centre console trim. Alcantara headlining, an electric luggage compartment, electric sun-blinds for the rear door windows and a multi-coloured Extended LED Interior Lighting Pack also feature.
Vorsprung models also provide four-zone deluxe automatic climate control and an electrically adjustable steering column, panoramic glass sunroof, power door closure, head-up display and the concert-like Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system.
Priced at £65,040 for the 50 TDI S line and £83,040 for the 50 TDI Vorsprung, the new Q8 also comes with an extensive range of standard and optional driver assistance systems, as well as a wide range of optional equipment. We’ll be taking a closer look at the full details and specifications, as well as reporting more extensively on our recent first driving experience with the new Q8 in the next issue.
