Audi has revealed its “near production ready” new flagship SUV.
Audi says the Q8 is about five metres long, two metres wide, 1.7 metres tall and has a three-metre wheelbase – almost exactly the same as a 2017 Range Rover – but unlike the Range Rover, the Q8 will be a “luxury lounge for four”
That means it shares a similar footprint to the current Q7, but is 40mm lower. A sloping roofline and tapered rear end mean the concept only has four seats, however the production version is expected to be available with a five-seat layout. The Q8 concept has a 630-litre boot.
The concept adopts a wider version of Audi’s single-frame octagonal grille, which is flanked by new matrix LED headlamps. At the back, the LED lights stretch across the width of the concept; Audi says this will be a signature on future models. Inside, the Q8 concept comes with a new wraparound dash and a raft of new technology.
It’s showcased as a hybrid but we don’t yet know what the final production model will be powered by.
The concept pairs a 3.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, which runs from a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery. That combo develops a combined 438bhp and 700Nm of torque.
On electric power alone, the Q8 concept can travel up to 37 miles, and the lithium-ion battery takes two and a half hours to fully recharge.
Those wanting more performance will eventually be able to upgrade to an SQ8, a high performance model that’s likely to use the same 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 diesel as the SQ7, developing 429bhp.
The production version of the Q8 will be displayed at the Frankfurt motor show this September, with sales starting early in 2018.
