Audi SQ8

The cabin of the Audi SQ8 speaks high-quality levels with the entire cabin wrapped in Valcona leather upholstery, which is available in four dual-tone themes – Arras Red with black, Black-Crimson Red with black, Black-Rock Grey with black and Rotor Grey-Anthracite with black. The Audi SQ8 comes standard with sports seats, while the rest of the cabin is loaded with features and technology one expects in an SUV of this class.

Behind the S-Line three-spoke multi-functional, heated and electronically-adjustable steering wheel, there are paddle shifters, there is a full-TFT, latest-generation Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument console. The topmost layer of the dashboard has a soft-touch layer, while the sleek horizontal layer below it accommodates AC vents within it.

The inclined centre console in the cabin of the Audi SQ8 houses twin large screens – one for the MMI touchscreen infotainment system and another one below it for climate control and vehicle dynamics settings. The lower centre console, which houses the transmission lever, drive mode controls and wireless charger, along with the co-passenger side of the dashboard, is finished in a theme of gloss black.

The interior of the Audi SQ8 is equipped with more state-of-the-art features like sports seats with Valcona leather, S embossing and active seat ventilation, panoramic sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control and Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with up to 23 speakers and active noise cancellation.

Based on the Q8, the exterior of the Audi SQ8 looks majestic, with the large dimensions, bold design elements and angular components giving the Audi SQ8 a striking personality, befitting its flagship SUV tag. The S treatment brings a host of minor visual add-ons, which tend to make the Audi SQ8 look even sportier than the standard Q8.

The large octagonal grille at the front, which gets huge honeycomb inserts within it and satin chrome surrounds that widen at the sides, give the Audi SQ8 a very bold-looking front fascia. This single-frame front grille gets inverted L-shaped Matrix LED headlamps affixed to its side edges. The huge trapezoidal air dams on the corners, which also get large honeycomb inserts within them, also have satin chrome surrounds, further amplifying their presence.

From the side, the Audi SQ8 mimics the design of the standard Q8, but with different-looking and sportier options of 23-inch alloy wheels. These wheels have a multi-spoke design with black metallic or gloss-turned finish options, with red brake callipers behind them giving it the much-needed sporty essence. The Audi SQ8 retain the muscular haunches over the front and rear fenders, which make the SUV look huge, with the window-frame surrounds and rearview mirrors getting a satin chrome finish.

The Audi SQ8 has a coupe-like essence while moving towards the rear, with a slightly sloping roofline giving it a good-looking visual appeal. The SQ8 has large combination LED tail lamps with dynamic lighting patterns, which extend to the connected LED light bar running between them. The gloss-black rear diffuser of the Audi SQ8 accommodates the air inlets on the sides and exhaust tailpipes on either end.

Along with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which enables the Audi SQ8 to remain sure-footed at all speeds despite its size, the SUV also comes with a high ground clearance of 254mm, sport differential and adaptive air suspension sport. All these qualities make the Audi SQ8 a capable SUV over rough surfaces. The Audi SQ8 can also be equipped with active roll stabilization and ceramic brakes at added costs.

The Audi SQ8 gets the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, which powers the standard Q8 SUV. However, this engine is in a higher state of tune here, with it claiming 507 bhp of maximum power and 770 Nm. With an electronically-restricted top speed of 250 kmph, the Audi SQ8 can do the 0-100 kmph sprint in 4.1 seconds. The transmission on duty is an 8-speed dual-clutch S Tronic automatic transmission.

The top-of-the-line safety features offered in the Audi SQ8 are Automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Audi pre sense front, Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic alert, top-view camera system, front/rear parking sensors, and night vision, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, eight airbags, vehicle stability control system and 360-degree parking camera. 

The Audi SQ8 might not be drastically sportier than the Q8 (for that, there is the more maniacal RSQ8), but it does have the additional sporty essence in its exterior and interior look and performance, which makes it worthy to be positioned as a more premium and expensive version of the Q8 flagship SUV.