New Q8 glimpse into Audi’s SUV future
Audi revealed its new Q8 in early June, an SUV that showcases the face all future Q -brand Audi utilities will wear for the next few years. While the German automaker suggests the 2019 Q8 boasts “the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe,” it is worth noting that in profile the truck has a mostly upright roof, with a slightly sloped D -pillar.
The rest of the new “singleframe” design language is also more on the brawny end of the spectrum, with an upright grille and “quattro blisters” over the wheels, meant to evoke the original Audi Quattro.
The interior, however, can admittedly be described as luxury sedan-like. Space appears generous, despite the fact the Q8 is shorter and lower than its Q7 sibling (the Q8 is also wider, to be fair).
Infotainment and climate functionality is mostly touch-controlled via two central screens, an upper 10.1-inch unit and a lower 8.6-inch display. A 12.3-inch display in front of the driver houses the gauges, but a heads-up display is also available.
Natural language voice control makes most of these screens redundant, though.
The “quattro” all-wheel-drive drivetrain and suspension were at the forefront of the engineers’ minds in designing the Q8, and to that end it comes fitted with progressive steering, optional all- wheel steering, and optional adaptive air suspension.
The 2019 Audi Q8 will hit the European market around fall 2018. Canadian availability and pricing will be made known closer to the SUV’s on-sale date here.