No more teaser or spy photos. This is the Q8, a preview of the new flagship SUV model that Audi will be launching next year. The concept has been revealed at the North american International auto Show (NAIAS), in Detroit.
Design and Dimensions
For NAIAS
Audi prepared a concept with striking exterior design combining its SUV traditional styling with more coupé-like shapes. Similar to the
Q2, the design of the arches has been used to give the car a more muscular look on its lower section.
The octogonal grille featured on the Q8 is the largest one fitted on any Audi model so far and clearly dominates the front-end design. Equipped with digital Matrix laser technology the headligths have been integrated on the design by following the lines of the grille and bonnet. At the back a full-width single strip of LED lights has been created to work as brake lights and dynamic indicators.
The concept is 5020mm long and 2040mm wide, which makes it larger than a
Range Rover, for example. However Audi's Q8 is 210mm shorter at 1700mm. Its wheelbase stands at 3000mm.
e-tron plug-in hybrid powertrain
Powering the Q8 concept shown at NAIAS is an e-tron +plug-in hybrid powertrain which combines a 333hp 3.0 TFSI petrol engine and a 134hp electric motor. Together they produce a combined output of 442hp and 700Nm of torque.
Thanks to this combination the Q8 concept is able to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h. With a 2.3l/100km of consumption, CO2 emissions stand at 53g/km.
Production-ready Audi Q8 to launch in 2018
Audi confirmed in Detroit that the Q8 flagship SUV will be launched on the market in 2018. Its production will take place in Volkswagen's Slovakian plant, located in Bratislava. This is the site where the current
Q7 is built and where Porsche and Volkswagen will have the future Cayenne and Toureg versions produced.