More subtle but still classy Q8

The Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform has certainly spawned lots of luxury SUVs. Today we take a look at the Q8

You can see why Audi wants a slice of the large sector SUV-coupe market.

BMW has, after all, shifted over half a million X6s since that car pioneered the genre a decade ago.

This one rolls off the same Slovakian Bratislava line as the Q7, the Cayenne and the Touareg and shares the same wheelbase and cabin width as its large Audi stablemate.

The driveway demeanour though is very different here, the emphasis on fashion, rather than family.

The Q8’s primary engine is the “50 TDI” 3.0-litre diesel unit we’re familiar with from the A7 Sportback and the A8.

Most will go for this unit in 286PS form, but you can also talk to your dealer about a lesser version of this powerplant with 231PS (the Q8 “45 TDI”).

A 3.0 TFSI petrolengined variant with 340PS (the Q8 “55 TFSI”) is also being made available and Audi is also developing a top RS Q8 flagship version.

We’ll focus on the “50 TDI” 286PS derivative because most customers will.

This puts out a hefty 600Nm of pulling power and accelerates this large SUV from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 144mph.

Your transmission will be an 8-speed Tiptronic auto. And of course there’s standard quattro 4WD, which divides torque frontto-rear in a 40:60 split.

When required, it transfers the majority of power to the axle with the better traction.

Audi’s keen to point out the differences between this Q8 and the more conservative, familyoriented Q7 model it’s mechanically based upon.

Its coupe-style roof line makes it appear much lower than that sister model and it’s 66mm shorter and 27mm wider.

Plus there’s a more distinctive front end, a shorter rear overhang and a mighty set of 21-inch wheels.

Thanks to the frameless doors, the coupe-type roof line stretches low across the vehicle body visually, ending in a long roof spoiler.

The roof line arches slightly towards the flat sloping, strong D-pillars, which are supported by wide, muscular contours.

Inside, the cabin delivers the latest touch-sensitive piano black-trimmed interior we’ve lately seen in the brand’s rejuvenated A7 and A8 models.

With the dashboard’s black-panel look, the main controls almost dissolve into the fascia’s large, black surface when switched off.

This coupe-style model doesn’t provide the Q7’s third row of seating, but Audi insists that there’s ample room for five people, pointing out that the interior space exceeds that of the direct competitors.

The luggage compartment holds 605 litres, which increases to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down.

Expect pricing to start at around the £65,000 for the 50 TDI 3.0-litre diesel variant that most buyers will choose.

The Q8’s primary 50 TDI 3.0-litre diesel engine uses mild hybrid technology, integrating a lithium-ion battery and