Audi Q8 Concept has been unveiled at the ongoing Detroit Motor Show. The Q8 Concept design study will make way for Audi’s take on the emerging SUV-coupe segment. When launched, the Q8 will go up against the likes of BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
The Q8 will be positioned above the Q7 but they both have a similar footprint. The Q8 Concept has raked D-pillar to give it a SUV-Coupe appearance. The fascia is dominated by the octagonal grille with six vertical slats with honeycomb insert. The ‘wedge-shaped’ headlights are futuristic and are integrated in the overall grille with silver finished splitter completing the front of the Concept. At the rear, the single strip LED taillights runs all over the tailgate with a small roof spoiler. There are no door handles but a touch sensitive Audi-logo on the pillar to open the doors. The show car is finished in Bombay blue paint scheme and sits on the large 23-inch wheels.
The 628litres of interior space is comfortably spacious despite the sloping roof according to the German manufacturer. The interior of the Q8 Concept seats four, but the production version will have five seats. The dashboard is futuristic, clean and has large touchscreens replacing the buttons giving a decluttered cabin. Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display offers more functionality and seats are covered in a combination of pastel silver Nappa and Nubuk leather.
The Q8 Concept on display has a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 3.0-litre TFSI engine producing 333bhp and 500Nm of torque is working in conjunction with a motor of 100kW of power and 330Nm. The combine power figures are an impressive 438bhp of power and 700Nm of torque. The eight-speed Tiptronic transmission sends power to Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The 0-100kmph sprint takes 5.4seconds and a top speed is 250kmph. The 17.9 kWh lithium-ion battery gives the car an all-electric range of 60km.
When launched in production guise, the Q8 will get a conventional powertrain but the ‘e-tron’ variant might exist as well. The production-ready test mule of the Q8 was spied recently and will make it to production sometime next year.
