Q here for coupe-SUVs

Audi’s new SUV-cum-coupe makes a lot of sense as a premium passenger vehicle, writes Richard Bosselman.

engine for up to 40 seconds. It’s a schmoozy and solid performer, yet obviously more about torque than power, so those seeking hard-out performance might prefer to await next year’s 250kW turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol ‘‘55 TFSI’’ or the RS Q8 that’s been seen pounding the Nurburgring.

Cos it’s the best-looking large Audi SUV yet, not just at the kerb but also inside, where A8-level upmarket cabin materials and an expensivelooking dashboard lend a fully premium impression.

It is also the most sophisticated Q-car, mainly through having adopted the Virtual Cockpit and split-level MMI Touch infotainment consoles. As well as being brilliant to use, it also ensures exclusivity because, while set to spread into next year’s A6 and A7, it won’t reach any other Q model for a while yet.

Even though it’s clearly not as practical as the Q7, it is still more user-friendly than the cited rivals.

For sure, the extra ‘‘tumblehome’’ on those side windows and the lower roofline above your head makes it feel less airy than a regular SUV wagon, yet by not succumbing to the temptation to give it a dramatic sloping roofline the rear-chair passenger space isn’t nearly as constrained here as in a certain other style-conscious SUV rival.

The boot is a decent size – partly because there’s no spare.

Cos it costs more than the equivalent Q7 and, this time next year, it risks being overshadowed as the ultimate Audi SUV sophisticate by the E-tron, which though smaller, looks just as sharp and, of course, with its all-electric motivation might rate higher for uber-cool.