[supra93]

Audi introduced the new Q8, a coupe-shaped SUV that promises to revolutionize the market. It is luxurious and sporty, having a number of arguments to captivate those who like SUVs (and whoever hates them).

Once again wrapped in a type 007 scenario - "pass on everything cameras and phones and sign this contract that prevents them from writing a line about what they are going to see next month" - Audi showed a small group of journalists the new Q8 .

With spirit and dimensions of SUV but coupé forms, the new model will assume itself as the top of the Q range, the vehicles of this German brand more facing the adventure and eventual off-road incursions. And although it is slightly shorter than the Q7, it has wider (2.7 cm) and more than generous roads (4,986 meters in length and 1,995 in width). If we add up to a 3-meter wheelbase, it's easy to see that despite the coupé lines, the Q8 is one of the largest SUVs on the market .

There are several features that stand out in the first contact with Audi's new model, the larger and octagonal grille , which will be extended to the remaining SUVs and here comes up with a live in red all around, the highest waist line and the highest ground clearance , the Q8 conveys the robust feel we traditionally associate with the Sport Utility Vehicle.

But Audi, which already has a king size SUV in the Q7 , made sure that the Q8 was seen as a more dynamic and agile proposal, so it tried to reinforce the personality, putting the emphasis on sportsmanship . So it is not surprising that the A-pillar (which supports the windshield) appears more inclined, typical of the coupés, in which is supported by a black-painted B-pillar to become almost invisible, and a massive C-pillar and also more inclined than usual. The cherry on top of the cake is materialized by the use of the wheel flares (more evident behind than before), to remind you of the late Quattro Sport, the model that served as the basis for the Group B with which Audi dominated the rallies of the world championship. To help, the doors do not have a top rim , another typical coupés solution, which values ​​the aesthetically sporty Audi SUVs.

Sporty on the outside. Luxurious inside
Once on board, the Q8 is reminiscent of the A8 , with the brand appealing to the best it can do. Good materials, between skin, wood and aluminum, a quality of construction to all proof and a design quite clean , with everything that is buttons to be displaced for the two screens placed to the center, one on the other. The absence of fans , since the air vents are very thin and the full width of the dash, reinforces the feeling of refinement.

If the front seats enjoy a new type of comfortable seating, and in addition to massages and ventilation can become more or less enveloping, depending on the occasion or the type of course, it is in the rear seats that the Q8 makes the difference . Although coupé, the new SUV accommodates three adults perfectly - although it is optimized for only two - with an above-average legroom . But the rear seat also allows, in addition to the reserved seats for the front, to advance the seat and recline more back , which is good for anyone who wants to "pass by the embers."

The space in the passenger compartment is surprising by its useful volume, as is the luggage compartment, whose capacity starts at 605 liters and can grow up to 1,755 , with the folding of the rear seat. Not bad for a coupé , usually more restrained when it comes to luggage space.

But for the Q8, Audi did not just think about space and comfort, but also focused on electronics for leisure and driving aids, with the German manufacturer announcing that just to serve those behind the wheel, there is 39 systems that can give you a hand. In addition, there is an intelligent navigation system that learns from practice, applications to open and close the Audi without touching the key, allow the loan of Q8 to someone at a distance, or open the bag (but only) so that someone put whatever is in there, from grocery shopping to the fact that he had dry cleaned.

Most of the commands are available through voice , with the new SUV even ready to provide semi-autonomous and autonomous-ready driving (when legal), with a laser scanner , long-range radar, four mid-range (two forward and a few as many backwards), a high-definition forward-facing camera and four panoramic-type cameras, plus 12 ultrasonic sensors.

Multiple engines and all hybrids
In the start-up phase, which for Portugal means from September , the Q8 will be available with gasoline and diesel engines, but all mild hybrid , in which a small electric motor, powered by the powerful 48 V system, helps the combustion engine in the start-up phase and speed recovery, to reduce consumption and emissions. This system, which replaces the starter motor and alternator, then ensures the operation of the coasting function, ie to sail, with the Q8 to turn off the combustion engine (this does not cause it to lose its braking capacity due to the absence of the engine vacuum required by the braking system) when the driver lifts his foot of the throttle, then back on again as soon as you press it again.

Initially two diesel engines and one gasoline will appear, with the first being represented by the 45 TDI of 231 hp and by the 50 TDI of 286 hp, both 3.0 V6, although this is not evident from the German brand names . The gasoline comes the 55 TFSI with 340 hp, also it a 3.0 V6. Asked the Audi engineers who accompanied us in this premiere , about the possibility that the Q8 will soon offer a more interesting proposal from the point of view of the Plug-in type of consumption , the answer was "we can not comment". But at our insistence, they admitted that "this platform (the same as Q7) already allows to produce plug-in versions, so it will not be difficult technically ."

To do justice to its status as SUV coupé, the Q8 bets on satisfying drivers determined to take pleasure in driving, so Audi endowed the model with three types of suspension, seven driving modes and a four-wheel steering system , similar to the A8, which will allow the Q8 to describe tight hooks or circulate around the narrowest streets, as if it were a small Q3.

Prices do not yet exist, but will be available long before Q8 reaches our country ..

https://observador.pt/2018/06/04/q8-...mento-dos-suv/





More pics

[neliconcept]

Now that is what I am talking about!! That looks awesome.

[Biginboca]

[Germanauto]

So will this take on the X6?

Aside from the front I think it's a nice looking car. The ugly orange colour doesn't help so I won't judge it entirely until I see a photo w/ a more traditional colour. The X6 still looks frumpy unfortunately.

Interior looks nice too. However, while that dash design looks slick and modern, it still is a bunch of shiny black plastic at the end of the day. The new A6 has the same thing. Matt Watson's review of the A6 pointed out how the entire unit will move if you shake it hard enough.

[ShocknAwe]

I see they decided to just slap a flat black piece of plastic across the entire dash. Invigorating.

[swanson]

WTH is a Q8?

[aaaaah]

So Audi has finally succumbed totally to the overstyling trend.

Much disappointment from me.

[obert]

I am liking the Navi on the cluster

[Red Bread]

That grille is a step too far.

[TwinTurboXI]

The Lamborghini Urus pulled this off much better and I don't ever find the Urus very attractive.

[allinon72]

What in the world are they thinking with that front grill....

[supra93]

[BeEmVe]

Fuggly Front Grill ... and it is not just Audi, Toyota, Lexus, all seem hell bent on massive fuggly front grills.

[KingOfJericho]

The shiny black dash looks like it's lifted right from a toyota camry:

[Never_Enough]

The dash is just asking for scratches.

[vpatel867]

Fake quad?

[///M Power-Belgium]

The Audi Q8 design looks better than the BMW X5/6 .

[Taskmaster]

I hate SUVs.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The shiny black dash looks like it's lifted right from a toyota camry:

Why do you even know what the inside of a camry looks like?

[dozaiya]

looks.like.shit.

[NickyC]

Yay another SUV.

[B58 parts]

Junk.