Stunning new concept officially unveiled

Continuing a tradition of producing stunning concept vehicles for international motor shows, Audi has officially unveiled the all-new Q8 concept study in Detroit.

The arresting new model showcases the company’s leading edge technology and takes the concept of luxury mobility and efficiency to new levels.

Using a powerful, yet highly efficient plug-in hybrid the design study forms the basis of a new model set down for series production in 2018.

The combustion engine is a 3.0 TFSI producing 245kW and a maximum of 500Nm of torque, while the electric motor generates 100kW of power and 330Nm. Together with a decoupler, it is integrated into the eight-speed tiptronic, the complete system producing 330kW and 700Nm of torque. This gives the Q8 acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h, yet with consumption of just 2.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC cycle, corresponding to 53 grams CO2 per km.

The lithium-ion battery located in the rear consists of 104 prismatic cells and has a capacity of 17.9 kWh, enabling an electric range of 60 kilometres, and the total range with the TFSI engine is up to 1000 kilometres. A full charge with 7.2 kW output takes about two and a half hours.

A large vehicle at over five metres in length, it provides tremendous interior space for occupants and uses large touchscreens in the cockpit including an expanded version of the Audi virtual cockpit and a contact-analogue head-up display. The latter uses intelligent augmented reality technology that merges the real and the virtual worlds.

“The Q8 concept is an Audi in peak form. It demonstrates the strengths of our brand in both technology and design while providing a glimpse at a future full-size, production SUV,” said Dietmar Voggenreiter, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG.

“With its next-generation display and control solutions, we are enabling customers to experience connectivity in a whole new way.”

Measuring 2.04 metres wide and 1.7 metres tall, the Q8 offers optimum room yet retains a sporty design and stance. The octagonal Singleframe grille with honeycomb insert is obviously Audi and yet shows another progression in the evolution of the famous grille design.

An x-shaped, blue laser light signature highlights the digital Matrix laser technology used for the low and high beams. Broken down into more than one million pixels, their light can illuminate the road in high resolution and with precise control. Located below the edge of the bonnet is a narrow LED light guide that emits the light for the dynamic turn signals and the daytime running lights. It wraps around the outside of the headlights, where its ribs create an innovative e-tron signature and all lighting functions are dynamic.

The interior of the Audi Q8 concept offers tremendous accommodation for four passengers and a significant (630 litres) amount of luggage. The interior is opulent and state-of-the-art and features a centrally-mounted console for the shift-by-wire lever, with which the driver controls the eight-speed tiptronic transmission purely electronically. 

The central control and display surfaces are integrated into the so-called ‘black panel’ – a glossy black strip framed by an aluminium clasp. When switched off, the monitor is invisibly embedded in the surface and the lines flow harmoniously. When the display is in operation, it assimilates perfectly into the design line. In the front passenger area, the black panel encircles a graphical quattro badge. The arrow-shaped inlays in the doors pick up the expressive design. Filigree aluminium bars integrated into them serve as door openers. When dark, LED light guides illuminate the interior with white light.