Audi brings in the Q8 SUV-coupe; a direct competitor to the BMW X6

ABU DHABI: After quite a good round of teasing with sketch images, Audi is finally entering the luxury SUV-coupe segment with the flagship Q8. The company brings it as the range-topping model in the “Q” range.

The new Audi Q8 is almost similar to the Q7 in terms of the size. However, a lot of differences come from the sloping roofline towards the rear. The wheelbase is almost three metres, which indicates that the cabin would be generously spacious. The company claims that the wheelbase and cabin space are better than its immediate competitors.

The Audi Q8 will be distinctly different than the other Q series SUVs in terms of the styling as it pioneers the company’s new design language. The major highlights of this new styling are the new large single-frame grille that has six vertical chrome slats and the set of matrix headlamps at the two sides. The rear has LED tail lights and also a thin strip of LED that passes horizontally across the boot lid.

Audi even claims that the Q8 will be extremely aerodynamic not only in its design but also in terms of the platform. Built on the Audi Space Frame, the Q8 uses 14.4% high-strength, hot-worked steel and 15% die-cast aluminum. This technology gets the car to weigh just 2,145 kilograms.

Under the hood of the upcoming Audi Q8, there is a potent V6, 3.0-litre TDI engine that can thump out a maximum power of 286 hp along with a humongous torque of 600 Nm. The power would be sent down to the wheels via an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The company has also added the Quattro AWD mechanism.

Audi has a real motto behind offering the Q8. This motto is to offer the best of the two worlds of luxury automobile scene, that are the versatility of an SUV and the elegance of a 5-door coupe. However, it is to be noted that this coupe-SUV from Audi has come around a decade after the BMW pioneered the segment with its X6.