SUV of tomorrow

Audi has a strong tradition of producing arresting concept vehicles at international motor shows. But while many manufacturers aim to dazzle and purely capture attention with their concept studies, Audi shows a clear vision of the future with each successive concept vehicle, a series production version often not a pipe dream, but a series production reality.

The classic example of course is the Audi TT. Revealed to international acclaim as a design study at the 1995 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the TT became a production reality – very true to the original concept – in 1998. 

There have been countless others – The Pikes Peak concept which pointed the way to the first Audi Q7 and the Le Mans quattro which became a production reality with the R8.

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Audi once again turned a spotlight on the future with a bold new SUV concept in the Audi Q8 Sport concept. Sibling to the Q8 concept revealed at Detroit earlier in the year, it paints a strong picture of future direction, not only in terms of Audi’s distinctive styling, but in terms of technology.

The styling is familiar, yet again shows the progression of the Audi design language. Bold, yet streamlined, it points to a sporty future and the powerplant and supporting technology do not disappoint.

A groundbreaking. The 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder engine featuring a mild hybrid system and an electric powered compressor is a world first, with 350kW of power and 700Nm of torque, it races from 0 - 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and keeps going until it reaches its top speed of 275 km/h – outstanding performance and a range of more than 1200km.

This combination of efficiency and supreme performance is achieved by combining a 331kW 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder engine with an electric powered compressor and an effective mild hybrid system for recuperation. The starter generator handles recuperation and, if required, can work in the opposite direction as an additional electric motor, the 48-volt electrical system assuring the supply of electrical power.

For the customer, this approach has a number of advantages: the energy recovered as part of recuperation can, if required, be used to increase performance. During boost operation – where the combustion engine and electric motor are used simultaneously – the electric motor’s additional 20kW of output and its torque of 170Nm open up a total of 350kW of power to the engine and bring its total torque up to 700Nm.

Positioned at the rear under the luggage compartment, a lithium ion battery with an energy storage capacity of 0.9 kWh makes it possible to keep moving slowly in stop-start traffic with the petrol engine switched off, as well as allowing for manoeuvring and parking under electric power alone. During braking, recuperation using the 20-kW-strong starter generator quickly recharges the battery to ensure that the vehicle can regularly be driven under electric power.

Of course in the Audi Q8 sport concept, the latest quattro permanent all-wheel drive system transfers the power of the drive system while adaptive air suspension sport – an air suspension system with controlled damping – allows for a broad spectrum of ride characteristics, setting the ground clearance in five levels with 90 millimetre height differences, to ensure the ideal level in each case.

While performance has been revolutionised in the Q8 Sport concept, so too has the operating environment. The interior uses large touchscreens in the cockpit, rounded out by 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 elegant interior architecture of the Audi Q8 sport concept merges with a groundbreaking control and display concept. Information and commands are passed primarily through touch displays augmented by the Audi virtual cockpit future and a contact-analogue head-up display. All displays feature a new ‘digital design’ that concentrates systematically on only the most important things.

The Audi virtual cockpit future is even more dynamic thanks to new functions and, with greater resolution, it displays graphics with more detail than ever before. In ‘auto’ display mode, the 12.3-inch TFT display offers generous space for maps, lists and additional information. The top-down map view visualises the selected route. When zooming in, the current position and surroundings are displayed in 3D. 

All other screens in the Audi Q8 sport concept are touch displays. The great strength of this principle is the direct, fast and intuitive operation. Drivers select each function exactly where they see it. By implementing touchscreens, Audi was also able to further reduce the number of buttons, switches and levers. Like the svelte exterior, the interior now appears even neater and more streamlined.

Once again, the Q8 Sport concept not only marries form and function seamlessly, but points the way to the exciting mobility of tomorrow.