What you are looking at are the best images ever of the production-ready prototype of the all-new Audi Q8 that was spotted testing in southern Spain.
The Q8 is the coupe-SUV version of the Q7. The prototype is not completely undisguised (there is still some black masking tape all around). However, we can clearly see the sleek LED headlights, the cascading grille and the thick sloping D-Pillar. The tail lights are concealed but the overall shape seems to have been carried forward from the other Four Rings. The silhouette remains true to the Q8 Concept from last year's NAIAS.
The German carmaker promised a distinct styling for its upcoming cars. However, that doesn’t seem likely with the new flagship. The LED treatment of the headlights and taillights are very similar to the current crop of Audis. The tail lights extend towards the tailgates. There are missing exhaust tips on the test mule with an additional faux grille both fore and aft. Both of these will change when the actual car is revealed in coming months. Interior images aren’t available at the moment, but we know the Q8 will scrounge many of its in-cabin technologies from the A8. The A8 is the tour de force for Audi currently featuring the latest Audi Virtual Cockpit, autonomous tech and all the creature comforts expected in a Luxo barge. The Q8 is therefore expected to match the luxury sedan in terms of equipment levels.
Engine wise, the Q8 will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder engine. The vehicle might get a 48V mild hybrid setup as standard too. Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, it is believed that the engine will generate 469bhp of power and a whopping 700Nm of torque. It will also be joined by a more potent variant, the Q8 RS, with a bigger V8 under the hood.
