The all-new Audi Q8 has been unveiled. It offers the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe and the convenient versatility of a large SUV. The vehicle remains faithful to the dramatic styling of the original Q8 Sport concept first revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The Audi Q8 is manufactured at the Bratislava plant and will be launched on the European market in the third quarter of 2018.
2019 Audi Q8 Images:
The new Audi Q8 measures 4,986 mm long, 1,995 mm wide and 1,705 mm high. It has a wheelbase of 2998 m and exudes a presence on the road like no other SUV from the brand with the four rings has ever. The Q8 also has a ground clearance of up to 254 mm.
The Audi Q8 debuts the new face of the Q family. The Singleframe in octagonal design features six distinctive vertical chrome fins that make the radiator grille appear upright and solid. A wide mask connects the Singleframe to the distinctive headlights. The spoiler, which protrudes at the front, and the large, strongly contoured air intakes further highlight the aggressive look of the Q8.
The new Q8 comes with the frameless doors which allow the coupe-type roof line to stretch low across the vehicle body visually, ending in a long roof spoiler. The SUV features wide and muscular Quattro blisters, reminiscent of the original Audi Quattro.
A narrow, black high-gloss element with an integrated light strip extends between the rear lights accentuates the width of the new Audi Q8. The distinctive rear diffuser has four vertical fins and an integrated tailpipe trim on each side.
The Audi Q8 is fitted with HD matrix LED headlights fitted as standard which feature dynamic turn signal at the front and rear. In future, Q8 owners will be able to use the myAudi app on their smartphone to activate various lighting functions and experience them from the outside.
The daytime running light (DRL) signature with digital character comes in a strongly 3D design for the first time. It consists of seven short segments and two longer ones at the edge of the headlight. The tail light uses a similarly three-dimensional design with its twelve segments – connected by the distinctive light strip which simulates depth.
The interior of the Audi Q8 looks elegant as well as futuristic. The upper MMI touch response display is the central element of the interior and almost hides into a large black surface when switched off. The slender dashboard and the calm lines with a strong horizontal focus highlight the impression of width. All elements have a logical connection and harmonise with one another.
The console of the centre tunnel has been designed as an independent geometric body. In the dark, the contour light traces the distinctive design lines of the interior and provides backlight for the three-dimensionally lasered Quattro badge above the glove compartment.
The operating concept in the Audi Q8 needs almost no buttons or knobs. It focuses on two high-resolution touch displays. The upper display with a 10.1-inch screen is used for controlling the infotainment and the navigation system. The lower 8.6-inch display allows the driver to manage the heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as comfort functions and text input.
MMI navigation plus with MMI Touch also includes the Audi virtual cockpit as standard. Its high-resolution 12.3-inch display can be switched between two views – classic and navigation – with the multi-function steering wheel.
The Audi Q8 offers ample space for five people and has a luggage compartment which can hold 605 litres as a standard. This capacity can be increased to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down. The tailgate can be opened and closed electrically as standard. The electric luggage compartment cover is another convenient option.
The new Q8 Coupe SUV has been designed with the Audi Space Frame concept. It contains numerous lightweight aluminium and hot-formed steel components. The interior exudes a feeling of serenity, thanks to the complex sound insulation and the sophisticated aerodynamics. A double-layer windscreen is standard.
Initially, the Audi Q8 will come powered by the 3.0-litre TDI (Q8 50 TDI) engine which generates 286PS and delivers 600 Nm of torque. It accelerates the large SUV from 0 to 62mph in 6.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 144 mph. Transmission duty is carried out by an eight-stage Tiptronic gearbox.
A smaller three-litre diesel with 231PS (Q8 45 TDI) and a 3.0 TFSI petrol-engine car with 340PS (Q8 55 TFSI) will follow early next year. The Q8 will also be equipped with the new mild hybrid technology (MHEV). It integrates a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter (BAS) into a 48-volt primary electrical system.
The rechargeable battery is located underneath the luggage compartment floor and stores 10 Ah of electrical capacity. The dynamic SUV can coast between 34 and 99mph with the engine switched off, then the BAS restarts the engine quickly and very comfortably.
During deceleration, the BAS can recover up to 12 kW of energy. The start-stop range starts as low as 13mph. In customer operation, the technology package reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 km.
The Audi Q8 comes with a host of assistance systems which are bundled into a total of four packages. The highlight in the Tour assist package is adaptive cruise assist. The efficiency assist is another component of the Tour package.
Emergency assist is a safety-relevant system in the package. It detects within system limits whether the driver is inactive and accordingly provides a visual, acoustic and haptic warning. Crossing assist, Audi pre sense 360°, Rear Cross Traffic assist, Exit warning and Lane Change Warning complete the package to provide safety in city traffic.
The systems in the Park plus assist package, which will be added to the range later on, support the driver during manoeuvring. Kerb warning protects against damaging the rims during parking. The 3D view with freely selectable perspective is the highlight. The package also includes the (remote) parking pilot. The remote garage pilot also forms part of the plus assist package, which combines all three packages. If the Q8 is used for towing, trailer assist provides support by automatically steering the duo when reversing.
In the UK the S line specification that is equipped with a host of standard features ranging from sport-configured adaptive air suspension and MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch to HD Matrix LED headlights, will be available from market launch. Soon after, an even more comprehensively specified Vorsprung version will join the line-up.
For the interior of the Audi Q8, customers can choose from several colours and configurations. In S line configuration, the front sport seats with integrated head restraints, an S logo and rhombus pattern are upholstered in leather/Alcantara, with the option of Valcona leather available to order separately. Inlays in aluminium are fitted as standard for a distinctive interior contrast. Vorsprung specification gains contoured Super Sport seats upholstered in Valcona leather as standard, with massaging and ventilation functions optionally available.
The Q8 will be offered in 12 colours, including the latest colours Dragon Orange and Galaxy Blue. A full-body paint finish extending to the wheel arches is standard. On S line models, matt grey elements further increasing the effect of the Singleframe, the blade, the sill trim and the diffuser insert. These elements will be finished in titanium black for the Vorsprung edition.
