Audi Q8 unveiled

After tantalising glimpses of 'what might be' with the Q8 Concept at Detroit Auto Show and the Q8 Sport Concept at Geneva last year, the wait is officially over and the newest Audi model and member of the ‘Q family’ the Audi Q8 has made its international debut.

Although its Australian arrival will not be until the start of next year, the interest in this new SUV Down Under is extremely high, given the tremendous success of the entire Audi ‘Q’ range in Australia. 

A large, luxurious SUV, the new Q8 is at the very cutting edge of automotive technology, a triumph of performance, practicality and versatility, yet also boasting the highest levels of luxury appointment, interior accommodation, infotainment and connectively. The Audi Q8 also promises a spirited driving experience and is equipped with the very latest autonomous assistance and driver assistance systems available.

All this, in a striking new design language, that, while immediately familiar, takes the Audi design ethos in an exciting new direction.

The dominant Singleframe grille is more ‘robust’ in appearance than ever before, which, with the large air intakes and distinctive headlights (standard LED headlights, with HD Matrix LED technology available as an option), give the Q8 an aggressive, purposeful look. A coupe-like silhouette belies the vehicles size, while the bulging guards which accommodate wheels up to 22-inches only add to the strong stance and contribute to the Q8’s ‘go anywhere credentials’. Indeed, the spoiler, wheel arch trims, door trim strips and diffuser are in a contrasting colour, to further emphasise the off-road look. 

Slightly shorter and sitting lower than its sibling the Audi Q7, the new Q8 measures in at a fraction under five meters in length (4.99m to be precise), and 171m tall. But its two-metre width  gives it a slightly wider girth than the Q7 and three-metre wheelbase gives it plenty of interior accommodation and beats out its competitors for interior space. Add to that a three-seat system in the rear on request and up to 1755 litres of storage pace with the setbacks folded down and the Q8 becomes quite the ‘space ship’. 

The Audi Q8 also features the new mild hybrid technology (MHEV) as seen on the Audi A8 and A7.  A 48-volt primary electrical system incorporates two important technology modules: a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. Up to 12kW of power can be recovered under braking and stored in the battery, while the MHEV technology also enables long coasting phases with the engine deactivated and a start-stop range that begins at 22km/h.

It goes without saying the Q8 will feature Audi’s famous quattro all-wheel drive, in this case with a mechanical centre diff with standard 40:60 split between the front and rear axle. As required, the wheel with the best traction will receive more of the drive, giving the Q8 a surefooted feel regardless of the conditions.

In addition, 254 millimetres of ground clearance, short overhangs and hill descent control gives the Q8 superb off-road ability, while suspension with damper control is standard and Audi offers the adaptive air suspension with controlled damping as an option, with either comfort or sport setup offering up to 90 millimetres adjustment in ride height.

Steering too adds to the overall driving feel, with standard progressive steering and the option of all-wheel steering also available – capable of turning the rear wheels as much as five degrees – counter to the direction of the turn at low speeds to increase agility and at higher speeds in the direction of the turn for better stability. 

The interior of the Q8 continues the sleek minimalist design of the A8, A7 and A6 models. Elegant black panels completely declutter the dash area, yet come to life as sleek touch screens to control myriad vehicle functions. The upper 10.1-inch display is used for controlling the infotainment and the navigation system, while the driver uses the 8.6-inch display below for heating and air conditioning, convenience functions and text input, the latter with his or her wrist resting comfortably and ergonomically on the selector lever. 

Then of course there is the digital Audi virtual cockpit sitting right in the front of the driver with its 12.3-inch display which can be switched between two views via the multifunction steering wheel. The optional plus version includes a third, particularly sporty view, while the head-up display also projects important information onto the windscreen, including detailed lane guidance for navigation.

In addition to the screens which feature haptic and audio confirmation when a function is selected, the Q8 features natural language voice control so that the driver need not remove their hands from the steering wheel.

Infotainment too is at the leading edge of technology. Audi’s MMI Navigation plus includes Audi connect data transfer module with the LTE Advanced standard and a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the navigation system is so advanced that it recognises the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys and can make intelligent route suggestions. 

The optional Audi connect key lets the driver lock / unlock the vehicle, and start the engine using a compatible Android smartphone and individual user profiles allow as many as 400 preferred settings to be stored for multiple drivers. With the myAudi app, drivers can also transfer special destinations to the navigation system, stream music or transfer the smartphone calendar to the MMI.

The Q8 also offers the Audi phone box and voice-over LTE, as well as Bang & Olufsen’s extraordinary Advanced Sound System with 3D sound to all five seats.

Safety and driver assistance systems are likewise state-of-the-art. Adaptive cruise assist, efficiency assist, crossing assist, lane change warning, curb warning and 360 degree cameras are just some of the systems at work in the new luxury SUV. 

Other systems are planned for introduction in the future, such as the remote garage pilot, which allows the driver to park the Q8 autonomously via an app on their smartphone. Likewise the parking pilot offers a similar'out of vehicle' experience. Each of these systems calling on the central driver assistance controller which continuously computes a differentiated model of the surroundings and uses this to manage the assistance systems. 

The technology is extraordinary and yet it is employed in such a way as to enhance the overall experience – technology for practicality’s sake.

And that sums up the Q8 at a glance. An elegant, yet practical SUV, designed to carry five adults in complete style and comfort, but to deliver an overall experience to all occupants – not just transportation.

The Q8 has arrived and it’s been well worth the wait. 

Register your interest if you would like to recieve exclusive updates on the new Audi Q8 ahead of its Australian arrival.