For quite a long time, BMW dominated the Coupe SUV
segment with the X6, but Mercedes-Benz eventually answered the call with the
GLE Coupe. As of earlier this year, Audi has a challenger to those two, and it’s
called the Q8. Shorter, wider and lower than the Q7, it has an imposing design
and seating for up to five occupants.
It will go on sale in Q3 2018, when buyers will have
to settle for one of two engines, a 340 PS petrol unit for
the 55 TFSI and a 286 PS diesel for the 50 TDI. Audi will eventually expand the
powertrain family with the 45 TDI that’s expected next year with 231 PS, but the most anticipated model is the RS Q8.
In development for quite some time now, it will take
on the BMW X6 M and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe with a more aggressive body kit,
interior upgrades and a sportier chassis. The RS Q8 is expected to be
powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 also found in the Lamborghini Urus,
albeit probably in a detuned state with close to 600 PS.
Audi’s ultra fast coupe SUV was recently spied
testing at the Nurburgring, with camouflage trying to keep the bodywork
upgrades a secret. But it was that V8 growl we were mostly interested in, so
get ready to spend more than 4 minutes of quality time with this prototype as
it’s being put through its paces.
