Audi Q8

Overview

After the Q7, it was with the Q8 with which Audi has proved that it has some mettle in making large and flamboyant SUVs/crossovers. Packed with Audi’s expertise in luxury and technology, the Q8 right now serves as the flagship SUV of the German marquee.

Interior & Features

The overall cabin layout of the all-new Q8 opens up new chapters in Audi’s history in terms of design elements and features

The three-spoke steering wheel has a nice and unique looking octagonal center boss, which looks like an evolution of the Q7’s unit. However, the instrument console now has a new and refreshing full LCD layout, which shows a range of data on display. The dashboard of the Q8 sources a lot of inspiration from a yacht’s cockpit, which is evident from the layout of the AC vents and separated layers of the dashboard.

The center console has a nice looking waterfall like slanting center console, which is adorned with two large touchscreens one over the other. While the upper screen comes with a crisp display for infotainment system, the lower one possesses four-zone climate control and various other convenience functions. Adding elegant touches to the overall interiors is the piano black finish with oak wood garnish on the dashboard and center console door inserts. Other salient features of the Q8’s cabin includes improved MMI interface, contour lighting, Bang & Olufsen sound system and wifi hotspot with Audi connect key.

Exterior

The Audi Q8 premiers Audi’s all-new design language when it comes to its lineup of SUVs, which makes it look one of the most up-to-date, or should we say, futuristic SUVs in recent times.

The front of the all-new Audi Q8 is dominated by an all-new massive looking octagonal shaped front grille, which is garnished with chrome surrounds and comes with vertical chrome slats within it. Besides this grille are placed the all-new arrow-shaped headlamp assembly, within which the daytime running LEDs are positioned on the upper portion and LED projectors below it. The bonnet comes with sharp and pronounced haunches on it, thus giving the Q8 a very muscular stance when viewed head-on.

The Q8 has a nice and impressive coupe-ish profile when viewed from the sides. The sloping roofline, as well as slightly lower ground clearance, gives the Q8 a squatter stance, the essence of which only doubles up with the bulging rear wheel arches, side cladding, and prominent creases.

The coupe profile of the all-new Q8 is enhanced again by the rakish rear windscreen, which comes adorned with a roof spoiler above it. As expected, the new Q8 is blessed with the best of  Audi’s lighting patterns, with the boot lid of the Q8 getting a full LED tail lamp adjoined by another thin strip of LED.

Ride & Handling

As with all the other premium SUVs of Audi, the Q8 too gets the famed Quattro four-wheel drive system, albeit in its best ever avatar with enhanced functions and smoother ride quality. The Q8 is equipped with adaptive air sport suspension, Audi drive select with seven different drive modes and all-wheel steering to make it equally capable on and off the road.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

As of now, Audi offers the Q8 in only one diesel engine option – the 50 TDI. This 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine is blessed with a new mild hybrid technology, which incorporates a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. Apart from offering a smoother and more silent driving experience, it also enhances fuel efficiency despite the bulk of the overall vehicle. Paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, this engine belts out 282PS of maximum power.

Braking & Safety

The Audi Q8 packs in a bunch of safety features, which takes the use of 39 different driver assistance systems. The list of safety features includes tour assist with adaptive cruise control, emergency assist watches for driver alertness, park plus assist, Park pilot and trailer assist.

Verdict

With the Q8, Audi has shown that it had very much potential in taking up the benchmarks of its SUV expertise to a whole new level. While the level of luxury and equipment on the Q8 is at an all-time high, the performance levels, as well as driving dynamics, possess the same finesse as seen in previous Audi SUVs.