At a time when the SUV concept “coupé” seems definitely installed — agree or not… — Audi decided to follow in the footsteps of its main rivals and try this niche, increasingly appealing, profitable and synonymous with status.
Without any past experience, the four-ring brand opted for the same strategy as rivals like BMW or Mercedes-Benz, aiming weapons not at higher volume premium segments, but rather at more exclusive and demanding levels with aspects such as status, differentiation, personalization. Using the Audi Q7 as a starting point, it offers a model that bets more on style than functionality: the Audi Q8.
With style… and space
The assumed opponent of models such as the BMW X6 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, the new Audi Q8, like the Q7, is based on the MLB Evo platform, being shorter (-66 mm), wide (+27 mm) and low (-38 mm) than the original model.
However, the room for four occupants is more favorable than one would expect at the outset, even due to the descending roof profile, also featuring a luggage capacity that can vary between 605 l and 1755 l (40:20 reclined rear seats: 40).
Presented as a proposal capable of combining the elegance of a four-door luxury coupé with the versatility and offroad capability of an SUV, the Audi Q8 captivates the eye, thanks to a much more refined and exciting exterior aesthetic visible in its 4, 98 m long, 1.99 m wide and 1.70 m high.
The result of a redesigned Singleframe grille and standard LED headlamps (LED Matrix as an option), an elegantly sloping roof, widened wheel arches — similar to the iconic Audi Quattro —, frameless doors, 19” wheels, interlocking rear lights , rear diffuser and spoiler, the objective, assumed by the importer's own responsible, involves disputing customers from the main rivals, even more than stealing them from his brother Q7. So… rivals beware!
Lux? Very. Technology? Further!
With a body made of ultra-resistant lightweight materials, 23% of which are aluminium, the Audi Q8 then adds a luxurious interior, clad in high-quality materials, to its distinctive exterior aesthetics.
Also visible on a dashboard that, in addition to the lines very similar to those of the A8, is one of the examples of the effort made by the German brand to make this “coupé” SUV “the most technologically advanced model in its segment”. As, by the way, already happens, according to the same sources, with the A8 executive.
One level of equipment
Proposed to us with just one level of equipment, albeit particularly full, the German SUV "coupé" comes standard with a Navigation Plus MMI, which includes the Audi connect data transfer module with LTE Advanced standard and a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation system capable of recognizing driver preferences based on previous journeys, in addition to 39 driving support systems. Among which, the new Adaptive Cruise Control with “Bottleneck Assist”, technology that allows the car to "read" when the road narrows, due to construction work, reducing speed, and Towing Hitch with Maneuver Assist, operated on the touch screens.
To justify this claim, the same three digital screens on the saloon, starting with the 12.3” Audi Virtual Cockpit (standard) and ending with the two color touch screens that fill a large part of the extensive center console that extends between the front seats — 10.1” or superior, from which it is possible to control the infotainment and navigation systems; and 8.6” at the bottom, through which the heating and air conditioning, convenience functions and text input are regulated. Both have the Touch Response feature that hides the feeling of touching simple glass.
Are you short of height? Does not appear!…
The Audi Q8 also benefits from an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with torque converter and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, as well as a torque vectoring system, progressive steering, Audi Drive Select system with seven profiles (including offroad mode), Hill Descent Control and suspension with damping control, which seeks to maintain ground clearance at 220 mm.
However, when replaced by one of the two versions of adaptive air suspension with controlled damping (optional), the Q8 is even able to regulate the height of the bodywork, within a range of 90 mm — with the option for Dynamic mode to be done. lower the set by 40 mm compared to the average level, while the selection of Offroad mode means an increased elevation of 50 mm.
Also optional, the auto-directional rear axle, which up to 60 km/h turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front, thus facilitating maneuvers. Above that speed, it makes them take the same direction as the front ones, ensuring greater stability and insertion in curves.
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Just one engine... for now
As for engines, the Audi Q8 starts marketing in Portugal with a single engine, the 50 TDI , synonymous with a 3.0 TDI with 286 hp of power and 600 Nm of torque. Which, together with the aforementioned Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission, guarantees accelerations from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3s and a top speed of 245 km/h, with an average fuel consumption of 6.6 l /100 km (NEDC 2, that is, transitory cycle where the vehicle is homologated according to the WLTP parameters, with the obtained values re-converted to NEDC) and CO2 emissions of 172 g/km.
Mild-hybrid
Debuted on the Audi SQ7, the V6 3.0 TDI that the Q8 introduces itself with is a mild-hybrid or semi-hybrid. That is, it has a 48 V primary electrical system, a lithium-ion battery and a starter alternator (an electric motor) with a belt, which, although it does not allow circulation in 100% electric mode, allows circulation with the engine off for a maximum of 40s, in addition to the start&stop entry into action, up to 22 km/h. Measures that, says the manufacturer, guarantee a reduction in consumption of up to 0.7 l/100 km.
However, further on, more precisely in March 2019, the less powerful is expected to arrive 45 TDI of 231 hp, followed, in July, by the “landing” of the top of the range SQ8 BiTDI of 435 hp.
Expensive? It depends…
Finally, what about prices, the Audi Q8 50 TDI is available now, with a single level of equipment and an extensive list of options, for a base price of 110 thousand euros . In other words, 15 thousand euros more than the corresponding Q7 (but with much less standard equipment), and about 10 thousand euros more than the future Q8 45 TDI engine.
Expensive or not, Audi Portugal believes it may sell around 60 cars a year. Not only because the asking price for this Q8 is in line with that of its rivals, but also because the Q7 alone is worth, at the moment, between 70 and 100 units per year.
If we accept that this Audi Q8 is more exciting and overwhelming than the Q7, then…
