2018 Audi Q8 previewed

Premium luxury SUV to top Audi’s eight-model SUV line-up; high-tech five-seater will come with range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains.

Published On Apr 25, 2018 07:00:00 AM

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Audi has released a preview image of its BMW X6-rivalling Audi Q8 in the week of the Beijing motor show. However, our sister publication, Autocar UK, understands that the premium luxury SUV won't be shown at the auto show, but is due for a launch this summer.

The car has been spotted on multiple occasions in recent months, providing an even clearer idea of how it'll look. Much of its design seems to have stayed true to that of the Q8 concept. It retains an SUV-coupé roofline, LED headlights and tail-lights, as well as a broad, eight-corner, single-frame grille.

Much of the Q8's mechanical package will be shared with the smaller Q7 and also appears nearly identical in width and length to it, but its more swept-back roofline makes it slightly lower. The premium SUV is said to be 5,050mm long and 1,970mm wide, and with a 2,990mm wheelbase. As with the Q7, the Q8 is based on the latest version of Audi’s MLB platform and has a body structure that makes extensive use of aluminium in a bid to push lower-end models below the 2,000kg mark.

The Q8 will sit alongside the A8 at the top of the firm's range, offer similar levels of luxury and come with an extended range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. At the entry level will be a 3.0-litre TDI. The bulk of the range is made up of new V6 and V8 petrol and diesels, while at the top of the range will be a new petrol-electric plug-in hybrid.

Among the new Audi’s arsenal of options will be many of the advanced systems developed for the latest A8, such as a 48V electric system, OLED high-definition digital displays and the very latest in autonomous driving functions.

Inside, the Q8 will receive a reworked version of the Q7’s high tech cockpit, featuring a more driver-oriented centre console. Unlike the seven-seat Q7, though, the Q8 will be available with a five-seat layout only.

The Q8 is scheduled to be built at Volkswagen’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia alongside the current Q7, new Porsche Cayenne and new Volkswagen Touareg, which was recently revealed.