With the latest product upgrade, Audi has once again refined the equipment range for the Q8. The seams on the seat trim in the base model now come as standard in a contrasting gray color. There are also nine decorative inlays available to choose from. Adding to the available options in the equipment lineup are: wood fine-grain ash natural silver for the standard model, Carbon twill matt, and Aluminium linear silver grey for the Q8 featuring the S line sport package, as well as for the SQ8 TFSI1. To further underscore the character of the Q8, three new finishes are available. Audi Sport GmbH offers Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, and Chili Red, all as metallic finishes. But customers can look forward to additional new features in more than just finishes. For the wheel range offers customers a choice of five new wheel designs, with sizes ranging from 21 to 23 inches for a clear advantage over the competition.

As part of the model update, Audi is also expanding the range of apps. For the first time, passengers can use popular apps from third-party providers (for example Spotify or Amazon music). Regular software updates and a constantly expanding range of apps make for even greater individualization of the infotainment system. A store with a market-specific app portfolio expands the third-generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3). In terms of driver assistance systems, the surroundings display in particular has received a significant upgrade. The Audi virtual cockpit displays a lane change warning, other road users (trucks, cars, and motorcycles) distance warning, intersection assist, and traffic light information online in stunning full HD quality. In addition to the store for apps and the new surroundings display, the product upgrade also expands the standard equipment for the Q8; 20-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, park and high beam assist, and the convenience key, among other features, now come as standard.

Steady in every situation: the suspension with Audi’s DNA

Only an Audi drives like an Audi: This is how the brand with the four rings sums up the DNA of an Audi’s driving characteristics, and it’s no less true for the Q8. Five characteristics define the Q8’s handling: balanced, solid, controlled, precise, and effortless. The suspension, steering, and drive as well as the braking and control systems all play a key role in creating a reliably safe, dynamic, and simultaneously comfortable driving experience. Even the standard equipment, with balanced steel spring suspension and damper control, ensures the Q8’s consistent driving experience.

Electronically controlled air suspension with a continuously adaptive damping system – adaptive air suspension or adaptive air suspension sport (standard equipment on the SQ8 TFSI1 ) – can be selected as optional equipment. In addition, optional all-wheel steering (standard equipment on the SQ8 TFSI1 ) ensures an increased level of safety and comfort. At low speeds, the back wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels. This reduces the turning radius, by up to one meter (3.3 ft), and increases manageability. At the same time, the driver feels more comfort and benefits from improved stability at higher speeds because the back wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. To improve the Q8’s handling in everyday situations such as maneuvering in parking lots, parking garages, or a home garage, the steering system has been optimized for greater ease.

The right choice for every situation: the powertrains

The range opens with the 45 TDI quattro2, a three-liter diesel engine that has 170 kW (231 PS) of output and delivers an impressive 500 Nm of torque, which extends over a plateau between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. From a standing start, the Audi Q8 45 TDI2 accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.1 seconds. It has a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph). This engine is followed by the 50 TDI quattro3, a more powerful version with 210 kW (286 PS) and 600 Nm of torque. The large SUV accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 241 km/h (150 mph).

The Audi Q8 55 TFSI4 features a six-cylinder Otto engine with three liters of displacement and direct fuel injection that delivers 250 kW (340 PS). It delivers a maximum torque of 500 Nm in a broad engine speed range from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. With its turbocharged gasoline engine, the Audi Q8 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. It reaches its electronically governed top speed at 250 km/h (155 mph).

All V6-engines in the Audi Q8 work together with an eight-speed tiptronic, quattro permanent four-wheel drive, and the mild hybrid system, which can achieve a fuel-consumption advantage of up to 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers in customer operation. Its key components are a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter (BAS) that supplies power to the SUV coupé’s 48V main electrical system. When decelerating, the BAS recuperates up to eight kW, which it feeds into the battery. Between 55 and 160 km/h (34 and 99 mph), the Q8 can coast with the engine off for up to 40 seconds when the driver takes their foot off the gas. After braking, the BAS restarts the six-cylinder quickly and very conveniently. The start–stop begins as low as 22 km/h (14 mph).

Superior performance: the Audi SQ8 with a V8 TFSI gas engine

The new SQ8 TFSI1 advances sportiness even further – it impresses with a redesigned spoiler at the front and an expressive diffuser at the rear. The Singleframe stands out with vertical L-shaped inlays in a sporty color scheme. The larger air intakes feature honeycomb grilles across their surface. Characteristically, Audi opts for a sporty aluminum look for the exterior mirror housings, the inlays in the Singleframe and the edging of the side air intakes. The same color scheme is also used for the inlay in the side skirt. The Black and Black plus optics packages can also be ordered for the SQ8 TFSI1.

For an ideal driving experience, a vehicle requires not only first-class engines, but also outstanding suspension components. In the optional advanced suspension package, customers also benefit from the sport differential. When cornering at high speed, it uses two multi-disc clutches to shift the torques between the rear wheels, giving the wheel on the outside of the curve, which has the better grip, the greater share. Known as torque vectoring, this makes handling even more effortless and precise. When turning or accelerating in a curve, the large sport SUV coupé literally presses into the curve, minimizing the tendency to understeer. The second component in the package is electromechanical active roll stabilization (eAWS). Here, both axles are equipped with a compact electric motor coupled to a transmission. It splits the stabilizer into two halves. When driving straight, it allows them to work largely independently of each other, which reduces body movements on uneven roads. In sporty driving, however, the electric motor causes the two halves to rotate in opposite directions, thus working together as a unit. This means that the car leans into the curve significantly less, and the steering response becomes more precise. 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 Audi SQ8 TFSI1 rolls off the production line with 21-inch wheels and 285/45 tires as standard. Alternatively, Audi and Audi Sport offer other 21- and 22-inch wheels. The largest offer available is 23-inch wheels with 285/35 tires. For greater variety, Audi offers other new 23-inch alloy wheels for the SQ8 TFSI1 that are specifically designed for the car’s sporty appearance. The brake discs on the front axle have a diameter of 400 millimeters; on the rear axle they measure 350 millimeters. The black brake calipers, which come optionally in red, bear the S logo that defines Audi’s look on the front axle.

Available to order from September, prices from 86.700 euros

The market launch of the Audi Q8 – with its revised design, innovative lighting technology, and more extensive range of equipment – will be in September 2023. Prices for the 45 TDI quattro2 start at 86,700 euros, while the 50 TDI quattro3 costs 89,700 euros. The 55 TFSI quattro4 will cost 89,900 euros, while the SQ8 TFSI1 starts at 119,500 euros.

The history of the RS 6 performance models began with the C4 generation Audi S6 plus in 1996. That is when quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH), initially a supplier of high-quality accessories from 1983 and then tasked with a vehicle customization program starting in 1995, was given a new focus. It took over responsibility for the sporty derivative, internally called the Q1. Following the success of the Audi Avant RS2, the aim was to create a new model with more power and greater driving dynamics. The Audi S6 V8 provided the ideal foundation for this goal.

The ancestor of all high-performance models: the Audi S6 plus

For the S6 plus, Audi’s engine development unit in Neckarsulm developed a more powerful version of the 4.2-liter V8 that powered the regular Audi S6. The engine’s output was increased from 290 to 326 PS, outstripping even the Audi Avant RS2. The car was given larger front brakes, a six-speed transmission with shorter ratios on third gear and up, and stiffer suspension. Both axles boasted 17-inch rims with 255 tires. The interior design was predominately black. The at-the-time quattro GmbH added accents to the gear knob and the speedometer dials in blue, gray, or white, including a scale that went up to 300 km/h (186 mph). With its own booth at the Geneva International Motor Show, quattro GmbH introduced its first vehicle to the public in 1996. During the 15 months that the S6 plus was available, the 855 Avant and 97 Sedans were built.

The RS family tree: From the RS4 Avant and RS 6 Avant to RS 6 Avant plus

Audi established the idea of the sports wagon with the RS2 and S6 plus. The first true RS model from quattro GmbH was the RS4 Avant (B5) from 1999. Compared to the Audi S4, it hit the scene with a widened body and an engine developed in collaboration with Cosworth, which at the time had an impressive output of 381 PS. From the beginning of 2000, the Audi RS4 Avant – advertised and sold as the Audi RS4 and as a special Audi RS4 Sport model – became the new flagship of the Audi A4 B5 series. And as an absolute sales hit, instead of the planned 3,000 units, just over 6,000 Audi RS4 Avant models were purchased by highly enthusiastic and satisfied buyers. There were already plenty of ideas for further high-performance models from quattro GmbH – the phasing out of the RS4 also freed up capacities in Neckarsulm for the development and production of a new model. The year 2002 saw no direct successor come out – the next RS 4 (B7) would not become available until 2005 – instead, the RS 6 represented a kind of “big brother” based on the C5-generation A6.

Along the Sedan and Avant versions of the first RS 6, a new nomenclature also debuted. From now on, all RS models would carry a space in their name. The special limited series RS 6 Avant plus also saw the return of the “plus” performance insignia familiar from the S6 plus. An optimized engine control unit extended the torque curve, resulting in increased power output. Engine power climbed by 30 PS to 480 PS. To ensure optimum cooling of the engine, the cooling system was also updated.

What made it special is that it was the first Audi to officially go faster than 250 km/h (155 mph). quattro GmbH throttled the RS 6 plus to 280 km/h (175 mph), making it the fastest sports wagon at the time. Perforated brake discs, a sports exhaust system, and DRC suspension now came as standard equipment. Nineteen-inch wheels and special paint / interior trim combinations characterized this edition. Audi limited production to 999 Avant units. Stephan Reil, Head of Technical Development at Audi AG in Neckarsulm, recalls: “With 480 PS, the RS 6 Avant plus was at the top of the segment. But on the other hand, that car was to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing that would win people over through understatement.”

More power and torque: “plus” becomes “performance”

The plus variant in the C6 generation hit the market in 2010 and was limited to 500 units. Unlike its predecessor, it did not feature any additional power, with the V10 keep its 580 PS; but it now features a top speed of 303 km (188 mph). The only faster Audi vehicle at the time was the R8. Customers were able to configure the car with two equipment packages:

The RS 6 plus Sport featured leather upholstery on the center console and dashboard, while the RS 6 plus Audi exclusive boasted a paint finish in an individual color according to the customer’s preference. In the Audi exclusive version, the seat covers, controls, door panels, and center armrest were upholstered in one of the attractive colors from the Audi exclusive program. All seat components matched the selected leather color. Both variants were equipped with 20-inch wheels, sport suspension plus, navigation system, and driving assistant, as well as the carbon package for the engine compartment.

For the C7 generation, “plus” became “performance” – the Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback performance premiered in 2016. With a slightly tweaked engine, the power climbed to 605 PS, 45 PS more than in the base model. The overboost function briefly increased torque to 750 Nm in “dynamic” driving mode. Depending on the equipment, top speed was limited to 250, 280, or 305 km/h (155, 174, or 190 mph). The car did zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) 0.2 seconds faster (3.7 s), and 200 km/h (124 mph) as much as 1.4 seconds faster (12.1 s). Twenty-one-inch wheels now came standard.

White dials: a tribute to the RS 6 Avant plus in the C8 generation

The new RS 6 Avant performance1 and RS 7 Sportback performance3 in the C8 generation continue the long-standing Audi Sport strategy of plus and performance models. To date, the models still boast an all-wheel drive system and a V8 engine with increased output. The potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine now has an output of 463 kW (630 PS) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (62.1 mi): 12.7 – 12,1 (18.5 – 19.4 US mpg) (WLTP); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 289 - 272 (465.1 – 437.7 g/mi) (WLTP)). First used on the Audi RS2 and still a distinguishing feature of the models with the red rhombus, colors including Nogaro Blue can still be ordered as custom finishes. The interior also echoes the original. For the performance models, customers can select a white background for the tachometer and speedometer – a tribute to the Audi Avant RS2 from 1994 and the Audi S6 plus from 1996 which came with white analog dials.

Audi’s DNA will not be changed: a look into the electrified future

“At Audi Sport GmbH, we have been very successful at what we do for 40 years,” states Steffen Bamberger, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH: “We are now transporting our DNA, that is, what sets us apart, into an exciting future.” According to Bamberger, a few key elements differentiate the current RS 6 performance1 and RS 7 performance3 models and their regular versions models from the respective base model: their characteristic exterior and interior design, their longitudinal and lateral dynamics, and their sound. These elements will continue to be differentiating characteristics in the electric age. This also includes an exterior design that stands out from the base model with sporty add-on parts and larger wheels. The interior will increasingly feature sustainable materials with a special look. What’s more, the interior and exterior sound will also be further refined to clearly set them apart from the base model and create emotionality.