The Audi RS Q8 may have just set a new production
SUV lap record around the Nurburgring, at least according to YouTuber Misha
Charoudin. Charoudin is frequently on hand for lap record attempts at the famous
German racetrack and was there on August 21 when a plethora of different cars
from the VW Group and Mercedes-AMG hit the German racetrack. One of them was an
RS Q8 prototype.
Standing near the start of the track with a
stopwatch in hand, Charoudin timed the RS Q8 as lapping the circuit in just 7
minutes and 47 seconds. The YouTuber wasn’t able to view the finish line from
his vantage point but knows roughly when a vehicle crosses the line due to the
sound it makes crossing over the curbing in the final corner. His time is
likely lightly off but should be close enough.
If the RS Q8 did indeed lap the circuit in (or
around) 7:47, that would put it two seconds ahead of the current record-holding
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. Audi has yet to comment on the time and hasn’t even
officially announced the RS Q8 but there is speculation the company may never
announce the SUV’s Nurburgring lap time not wanting to steal attention away
from the Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus.
Sitting at the heart of the 2020 RS Q8 will be the
company’s familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine pumping out approximately 600
hp. The car will send all of its power to the rear wheels and could prove to be
an enticing option for those wanting a super SUV but not willing to pay the
premium for the Urus.
