2019 Audi Q8

CAR REVIEW

Audi SQ8

WHAT'S THE VERDICT?

“It’s lost some charisma in the switch to petrol and no longer has such a strong USP”
It’s lost some charisma in the switch to petrol and no longer has such a strong USP. It’s also, at £85,585, a big chunk of money (if twenty grand cheaper than an RS Q8, which isn’t a lot faster). But how long will it stay like this? There’s a hybrid TFSI e Q8. Safe money says that the SQ8 will surely benefit from hybrid tech soon.


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Audi Q8 60 TFSI e 2021 UK review

Should I buy one?

Still, it’s an imposing, impressive machine, made to the usual high standards. But at this stage in automotive history, pure-petrol Q8s make more sense and smaller Audi PHEVs deliver better economy.


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ABT turn the heat up on the Q8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid

The tuning boffins at ABT Sportsline have breathed a little more life into the Audi Q8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid. In stock form, the SUV Coupe outputs 340 kW total system output from its turbocharged V6 and electric powertrain.

Thanks to some crafty finetuning and updated software, ABT has increased the 250 kW petrol motor’s output to 300 kW and 500 N.m, resulting in a total system output of 390 kW in conjunction with the electric motor.

Additionally, customers can enhance the appearance of their plug-in hybrid Q8 with ABT Sportsline’s multi-component Aero package comprising of a front skirt add-on, rear skirt set, rear spoiler and fender inserts. The latter is also available in carbon fibre and all parts are available separately, too.


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Nearly new buying guide: Audi Q8

Make a statement with two tonnes of Ingolstadt’s finest, we suggest

If you are attracted to the idea of an Audi Q7 but in your head are a little too dashing for all that sensible-knickers, seven-seat stuff, you could always splash your cash on the catwalk-friendly Q8 instead.

The Q8 is a Q7 clothed in a coupé-inspired body, and there’s room in its opulent interior for only five. Squint and it could even be the Lamborghini Urus, of which it is indeed a cousin.

Initially, you could have only a 282bhp 3.0-litre diesel V6 (badged the 50 TDI) or a 335bhp 3.0-litre turbo petrol V6 (55 TFSI). But Audi recently added two petrol-engined plug-in hybrids: the 375bhp 55 TFSIe and the 456bhp 60 TFSIe, both of which can do 28 miles on electricity.

For the very dashing driver, there’s also the sporting SQ8, which began life as a 427bhp diesel of enormous oomph before turning into a 507bhp petrol with the same twin-turbo V8 as found in Porsche’s Cayenne GTS.

And if you really do love the idea of a Deutscheghini, there’s now even an RS Q8, replete with the same 592bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 as the Urus.


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New Audi Q8 e-tron confirmed for 2026, R8 going electric too

When it comes to electric cars, Audi is going all in, and the carmaker announced earlier this year that from 2026, all of the new cars it launches will be battery powered, with internal combustion cars retiring by 2033.

This week Audi also announced that a new Q8 e-tron flagship SUV was in the pipeline for 2026. Reportedly set to replace the current e-tron SUV, and likely the current ICE-powered Q8 too, the new crossover vehicle will be built at the company’s fully electrified plant in Brussels.

Not much other info has been divulged as yet, but it seems logical that the new Audi Q8 e-tron would be based around the new PPE electric car architecture, which is being developed in partnership with Porsche. The first PPE-based car will be the production version of the Audi A6 e-tron concept that was revealed earlier this year.

PPE is a fully scalable architecture that will be able to accommodate vehicles of all shapes and sizes, although it will be limited to premium vehicles at this stage.

 
ROAD TEST: Audi SQ8 TDI quattro Tiptronic

Test summary

Overall, the highlight of the SQ8 package is its silken V8 twin-turbodiesel. It is the consummate daily driver that’s great for a rare spirited driving when the occasion demands it. In typical Audi fashion, perceived build quality and fit and finish are superb, and refinement is high with incredibly low levels of NVH. As a supremely comfortable SUV with loads of torque, its breadth of talents is only amplified by the fact that it is R500 000 cheaper than the RS Q8. As carmakers surge towards electrification, cars like the SQ8 will no doubt fade into the past, and what a bittersweet notion that is.

Price: R1 848 500
0-100 km/h: 5,28 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Power: 310 kW
Torque: 900 N.m
CAR fuel index: 10,00 L/100 km
CO2: 217 g/km


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I'd like the V8 diesel once its depreciated to 30% of new price...
 
Audi Q8

Audi is updating the flagship of the Q family with a pure design and upgraded technology. The revised exterior aesthetic with new front and rear aprons underscores the strong character of the SUV coupé. The optionally available S line exterior package caters to customers who desire more sportiness. For the first time, Audi is equipping the Q8 with HD Matrix LED headlights, including a laser as an additional high beam. These headlights feature digital daytime running lights and selectable light signatures. Digital OLED rear lights with four selectable rear light designs complete the expanded light offering. New wheels, colors, decorative inlays, and seats with contrast stitching highlight the car's top position among the Q models. The new Audi Q8 starts at 86,700 euros.

Revised, generous, striking: the exterior design

With its expressive design, the revised Q8 is a sporty, elegant SUV coupé from the brand with the four rings. With its clean shape, generous surfaces, and clear volumes, the Q8 paints a dynamic picture. The short overhangs and long wheelbase make for sporty, elegant proportions that can be accentuated with distinctive exterior colors and wheels.

The unmistakably powerful and upright Audi Singleframe with an octagon design now impresses with vertical inlays. They are arranged in teardrop shape in the base exterior and designed in the shape of an L in the S line exterior package and the SQ8 TFSI. This makes it clear at first glance that the Q8 belongs to Audi's top models and clearly differentiates it from the A models. The self-assured appearance of the Q8 is underscored by the new prominent air intakes, which are clearly integrated into the car's basic architecture.


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Meet the refreshed Audi Q8 and SQ8 SUV

Audi’s range-topping SUV receives a new look for 2023

Good news if you’re a fan of supersized SUVs, less so if you’re not: Audi has updated its range-topping Q8 and SQ8, with blink-and-you’ll-miss-them changes to exterior and interior designs along with subtle technological improvements inside.

Let’s start at the front, shall we? The most obvious change to the Q8 is the new octagonal design grille, while it also gets more prominent side air intakes and standard fit LED headlights, with Matrix LEDs optionally available.

Round the back, there’s a new (optionally OLED) light signature, plus restyled exhaust pipes. Audi has also seen fit to finish the underside guard, door surrounds and diffuser in contrasting colours to better distinguish between trims. Three new metallic paints and five new wheel designs, ranging from 21 to 23 inches, complete the new look.

The Audi SQ8 gets a slightly tweaked front grille design, larger air intakes with honeycomb inserts, a redesigned front lip spoiler, sportier looking underside guard, and shoutier rear diffuser that’ll undoubtedly upset someone.

 
I hope they bring the SQ8 to SA so I can lay my hands on one one day after several years of depreciation..I like my current fast diesel.
 
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