Audi has taken the wraps off its flagship SUV, the all-new Q8. It’s the German automaker’s first SUV coupe that will directly compete with the likes of BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe and Range Rover Sport. The newest Audi offering shares its basic structure with the three-row Q7 SUV; however, the overall design and dimensions have been altered to give it a sportier stance. Although the wheelbase is same for both measuring in at 117.9-inch, but the Q8 is 3.3 inches shorter and 1.4 inches lower than the Q7, and also an inch wider. Audi has also given its new flagship SUV a strikingly coupé-like roofline that slopes down at the rear.
In terms of design, the new Audi Q8 is loaded with styling elements that helps it stand out from the rest of crossovers in the company’s lineup. Upright grille design featuring six vertical chrome fins along with the aggressively styled headlights and the full-width taillight cluster that runs across the rear give the car a very futuristic appearance. Audi will also give the option of ordering the Q8 with 22in wheels, the largest ever to be offered by the factory. On the inside, the cabin looks very similar to the new A8 and will only be offered in a five-seat layout, unlike the Q7 which can be had with seven. It features a twin-screen infotainment system with haptic feedback, intelligent navigation and AI-enhanced voice control, along with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit instrument display. In Europe, buyers will be get a choice between a 231hp or 286hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel, but the US-spec Q8 will be powered by Audi’s 340-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-new Audi Q8 will be available in the US in the fourth quarter of 2018. The prices are yet to be announced.
