The new face of the Q family: the Audi Q8
The Audi Q8 combines the best of two worlds, the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe and the convenient versatility of a large SUV. Richly equipped, comprehensively connected and tough enough for off-road duty, it is a composed companion for business and leisure. A powerful, yet highly efficient 3.0 TDI engine with 210 kW powers the new top model in the Q family.
The Audi Q8 is a representative of the progressive design language that Audi first brought onto the road with the new A8. Strong contours and athletically tight surfaces convey a feeling of power, sophistication and the special dynamics of the permanent all-wheel drive. The Q8 interprets this in its very own way, as the fusion of an elegant four-door luxury coupe with a large SUV, and with echoes of an Audi icon – the original quattro.
Thanks to the frameless doors, the coupe-type roof line stretches low across the vehicle body visually, ending in a long roof spoiler. The roof line arches slightly towards the flat sloping, strong D-pillars, which are supported by wide, muscular contours – the quattro blisters, reminiscent of the original Audi quattro. The shoulder line stretches the SUV, elegantly connecting the powerful wheel housings, which house up to 20-inch wheels as standard.
The Audi Q8 3.0 TDI generates 210 kW and delivers 600 Nm of torque to the crankshaft. It accelerates the large SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 245 km/h. The drive system in the Audi Q8 is strong and highly efficient at the same time, thanks to the new mild hybrid technology (MHEV). This 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 55 and 160 km/h 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 interior space exceeds that of the direct competitors in almost all relevant dimensions. With its large luggage compartment and generously sized storage compartments and tray areas, the Q8 is ideal for longer journeys. The luggage compartment of the SUV holds 605 litres as a standard, which increases to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down. Two golf bags can easily fit in width ways.
The MMI touch response display is the central element of the interior of the Audi Q8. With its black-panel look, it almost dissolves into a large, black surface when switched off. Simple, easy-to-understand symbols stand for the digital precision from Audi and for the high level of integration of the architecture and operation – simplicity replaces complexity. All fundamental lines originate from the large display, for example the continuous air vent strip with integrated chrome fins and an elegant aluminium-look strip.
The paint range for the Audi Q8 offers eleven colors which underline the sporty design, including the latest colours – dragon orange and galaxy blue. The attachments are painted in body colour as standard. In an optional exterior package, they are painted in scandium grey. For the interior of the Audi Q8, customers can choose the S line package which sports Valcona leather seats with embossed S Logo on the front seat backrests.
Whether parking, in the city or on long journeys – the Audi Q8 supports its driver in many situations. Among the systems contributing here are:
- adaptive cruise assist,
- efficiency assist,
- crossing assist,
- lane change warning,
- curb warning, and;
- 360-degree cameras.
Behind all of these features is the central driver assistance controller. It continuously computes a differentiated model of the surroundings and uses this to manage the assistance systems. The required data is obtained from up to five radar sensors, six cameras, twelve ultrasound sensors and the laser scanner.
“The new design language and technical innovations introduced earlier in the year with the Audi A8 are distinctively visible in the newest member of the Q family. With its expressive exterior appealing to design-oriented customers and intuitive infotainment systems delivering a personalised driving experience, the Audi Q8 won’t disappoint.” said Dean Sheed, General Manager, Audi New Zealand.
Customers can now experience the new face of the Q family for themselves at Ebbett Audi and the Q8 3.0 TDI quattro is available with a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of $149,900 + on road costs and optional extras.
