Audi has opened the order books for the
range-topping Q8. Customers in Europe will be
offered a single powertrain option from the get-go, the Q8 50 TDI, powered by Audi’s new mild-hybrid 3.0-liter TDI. The new diesel powertrain
integrates a lithium-ion battery pack and a belt alternator starter (BAS) into
a 48-volt electrical system, allowing the Q8 to coast between 55 and 160 km/h with the engine switched off.
In addition the BAS can harvest up to 12kW of
energy, which when combined with the start-stop system reduces the combined
fuel consumption by up to 0.7 lt/100km. With this powertrain fitted, the new
Audi Q8 returns an average of 6.8 to 6.6lt/100km (34.6 to 35.6 mpg US) while
CO2 emissions are as low as 172g/km.
Power figures are 281 hp and 600 Nm of peak torque. Audi reckons that the Q8 50 TDI is capable of a 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds while flat out it’ll do 245 km/h. The permanent Quattro all-wheel
drive features a mechanical center differential, with the torque split being
rear-biased, at 40:60 between axles as standard. An optional air suspension is
available, giving the Q8 a ground clearance of up to 254mm, as well as an
all-wheel steering system for greater agility.
Audi’s flagship SUV also features switchable
hydraulic bearings that connect the engine to the front axle’s subframe in
order to eliminate vibrations, resulting in a more refined ride. Cutting-edge
technologies like this one can be found throughout the new German SUV Coupe.
Audi designed the
cockpit in order to need almost no buttons or knobs. The dash features two
high-res touch displays, with the upper one measuring 10.1 inches in diameter
and the lower one 8.6 inches in diameter. Haptic feedback is also present in
order to give the operator a click-like feedback when a function is selected. A
clever natural language voice control is also present, as is the 12.3-inch Audi
Virtual Cockpit.
The first examples of the new Audi Q8 will arrive at
European dealers this August. Prices in Germany start at 76,300 euros (US$ 89,900).
