Audi has taken the covers off the revised Q8 models ahead of their international launch, revealing a sharper, more focused design language for the large, luxury SUV models. The flagship of the brand’s Q range, the five-seat luxury SUV first made its appearance in Australia in 2018, making an immediate impression with its combination of coupe-like styling and lavish appointment. This model took all of the attributes of the brand’s top line D segment models and presented them in a SUV format, with distinctive styling that set it apart. 

Now, the revised Q8 model and the SQ8 TFSI take that design language further, with even cleaner lines, new front and rear treatment as well as a raft of new technology and equipment. The Q8 retains its distinctive coupe-like styling and its imposing road presence – due in no small part t the vehicle’s width and strong stance.

This has been further enhanced with a more aggressive front grille treatment on both models, larger front air intakes that are integrated into the front end design and new lighting signature front and rear that add to the feeling of width and solidity. 

HD LED lights are standard on the Q8 with HD Matrix LED headlights with laser light also available as an option. These not only turn night into day, but the top lighting system also allows the user to select one of four individual light signatures via the MM. The Q8 also features large digitalised OLED rear lights for the first time as an option which also feature four digital light signatures in conjunction with the headlights.

As is the case on the Audi A8 and the Q5 models, these rear lights feature the proximity sensor which causes the lights to flash rapidly should another vehicle get within two metres of the stationary Q8. The OLD lights are also able display additional functions such as the ‘coming home’ and ‘leaving’ sequences.

Although decisions on the Australian specification have yet to be finalised, in Europe the Q8 range will be offered with two diesel and one petrol powerplant as well as an additional powerplant for the SQ8 performance model.

These powerplants start with a 3.0-litre TDI unit with 170kW of power and 500Nm of torque available between 1500 and 3000rpm. There will also be a more powerful 50 TDI version with 210kW and 600Nm of torque as well as a top specification 55 TFSI with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder producing 250kW and  and 500Nm of torque between 1370 and 4500rpm. This will see the Q8 hit 100km/h from standstill in a mere 5.6 seconds, despite it full size and complete complement of luxury equipment. This mates to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the mild hybrid system.

Suspension too varies between the standard balanced steel spring suspension and damper control, right through to electronically controlled air suspension with a continuously adaptive damping system – adaptive air suspension or adaptive air suspension sport (standard equipment on the SQ8 TFSI) can be ordered as an option. In addition, optional all-wheel steering (standard equipment on the SQ8 TFSI ) increases manoeuvrability at low speeds as well as stability and steering feel at high speeds.

Over and above its ride and performance, the Q8 has been known for its interior appointment and luxury finish and the new models don’t disappoint. There are nine decorative inlays available to choose from and contrasting stitching on the upholstery as well as new interior detail finishes added in the form of wood fine-grain ash natural silver for the standard model, Carbon twill matt and Aluminium linear silver grey for the model featuring the S line sport package and the SQ8 TFSI. Three new body colours will also be available  – Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, and Chili Red, all as metallic finishes – and multiple wheel options will also be available ranging in size from 21 to 23-inches.

The Q8 remains a technology leader too with the infotainment offering expanded to offer the use of third party providers like Spotify and Amazon music, while regular software updates and a constantly expanding range of apps make for even greater individualisation of the infotainment system in the future.

In addition to the Q8 models, the new Audi SQ8 TFSI will again bring its own brand of performance to the Q8 ranks, with a 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine producing 373kW and a massive 770Nm of torque. 

Mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and of course quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the revised SQ8 will hit 100km/h from stop in just 4.1 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h.

When not being driven hard, this outstanding powerplant also features cylinder of demand technology which deactivates four of the eight cylinders as a fuel saving device, but instantly reactivates them as soon as they are required.

This performance coupled with the aforementioned adaptive air suspension sport makes for an incredibly agile vehicle, with handling that belies its size. Customers will also be able to select an optional suspension package that includes a sports differential with torque vectoring for even sharper handling characteristics. This advanced package also includes electromechanical active roll stabilisation (eAWS), which sees both axles equipped with a compact electric motor coupled to a transmission that splits the stabilisation into two halves. This means that when driving in a straight line it allows them to work largely independently of each other, which reduces body movements on uneven roads. 

But in spirited driving, the electric motor causes the two halves to rotate in opposite directions, thus working together as a unit.

This makes for flatter cornering with nary any body roll and the steering response is sharpened significantly. The eAWS is powered by a 48-volt super capacitor. The compact, lightweight energy storage unit, which can absorb and release high currents in a very short time, supplies the two electric motors with a maximum power of 1.5 kW each.

The SQ8 TFSI rides on 21-inch wheels with 285/45 tyres as standard, but again customers can opt for wheel offerings from Audi and Audi Sport in sizes from 21-inches to 23-inches. Visible within the huge rims are the equally impressive brake discs measuring 400mm up front and 350mm on the rear. These feature black callipers with the Audi S logo and can also be optioned in red.

The revised Audi Q8 models are expected to arrive here around the middle of next year, with Australian specification and pricing confirmed closer to arrival.