Audi Q8

Audi Q8 – Overview

The Audi Q8 is the brand's first SUV to be designed by Marc Lichte, Audi's current head of design and will usher in a new design for Audi's SUVs. The grille has been enlarged with octagonal shape, with both vertical and horizontal slats, and the Q8's character lines are based on the Audi Quattro rally car from the 1980s. 

Audi Q8 is slightly shorter than the Audi Q7 in terms of both length and height but is slightly wider and has less cargo space compare to Audi Q7 due to its sloped roofline. Unlike the Audi Q7, the latest Audi Q8 blends everything the brand stands for in a sense of strength conveyed by strong contours and athletically tight surfaces, expressive architecture of the dynamics quattro all-wheel drive, sophisticated cutting-edge technology and more luxurious. 

Audi Q8, the competitor to the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and BMW X6 is available in a single five-seat version starting at RM727,900 (excluding insurance) comes with five-year/unlimited mileage and colour options that are available include Dragon orange metallic, Glacier white metallic, Galaxy blue metallic, Cobra beige metallic and Samurai grey metallic.

Audi Q8 – Exterior

The Audi Q8 is the first SUV to be feature the full-laser headlamps and taillamps. A precise illumination of the HD Matrix LED headlamps provides a higher resolution of illumination to the road surface ahead and seamlessly the system could detect an on-coming vehicles without glaring other road users with the intelligent system that can masks the appropriate light-emitting diodes while still lighting the area around. 

The Audi Q8 is the new face of the “Q” family with the Singleframe in Octagonal design appearance coupled with the upright brawny radiator grille, spoiler that drawn towards the front and it portrays a self-confident look of the large and highly contoured air inlets. The elegant roofline slopes gently into the D-pillars and rests above the wheel arches with a light strip connects the units at the rear.

Audi Q8 - Interior

The Valcona leather upholstery and Oak Grey interior inlays welcome you with the soft-closing doors. Individual contour seats with 18-way power adjustment (memory function for the driver) and seat ventilation available for the front seats. 

The elegant styling of the knob-less MMI system, three touch screens and an enlarged virtual cockpit which has a fully digital instrument cluster, finished with the highest quality materials such as comfort features electric sunshade for rear windscreen, manual sunshade blinds for both rear doors and four-zone automatic climate control. 

The prominent virtual cockpit features an MMI navigation plus infotainment system with a dual-screen setup with 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower touchscreens with MMI touch response to voice control with natural speech recognition both haptic and acoustic feedback in response to user inputs. the Audi Q8 offers 605 litres of boot space with a wide opening for easy placement of two golf bags.

Audi Q8 – Features

Audi Q8 - Safety

The Audi Q8 is equipped with Audi pre-sense front as standard, turn assist and collision avoidance assist, camera-based traffic sign recognition, six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system and Isofix child seat anchors are all standard as well.

Audi Q8 - Infotainment

An impressive two high-resolution 10.1- and 8.6-inch HD touchscreens are integrated into the centre console. The seamlessly impressive level of detail with the head-up upper display provides access to the infotainment system with Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with 3D sound and Audi smartphone interface. The lower display provides access to air conditioning, comfort functions and text input. The state-of-the-art technology haptic and acoustic feedback gives a very ‘real’ feel, while reducing the number of buttons and controls required in the cabin.

Audi Q8 - Powertrain 

Audi Q8 Engine

An impressive 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 340 hp from 5,200-6,400 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 1,370-4,500 rpm power up the Audi Q8 and includes a mild hybrid system featuring a 48-volt electrical system with a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. 12kW of power can be recover during braking and energy source will recharge the battery to enable long coasting phases with the engine deactivated and a start-stop range that begins at 22 km/h.

Audi Q8 Transmission

Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, allowing for a century sprint time of 5.9 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 250 km/h.

Audi Q8 Chassis

The air suspension can be adjusted to various modes with the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, varying the ride height of the body depending on the driving situation and the driver’s wishes. As the speed increases, the suspension automatically lowers the body gradually. This reduces the drag and serves the purpose of increasing the dynamic handling. When the car is parked, the system can also lower the loading level relative to the normal level. Other driving-related systems include all-wheel steering and progressive steering are linked to the Audi drive select interface, allowing drivers to cycle through various drive modes.

Audi Q8 Drivetrain

The mechanical centre differential a system that delivers superb handling and traction, while giving extra security and stability on wet or low friction surfaces. It distributes forces to the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio and when necessary, it transfers most of the weight to the axle for better traction control.

Audi Q8 - Driving Performance

The Audi Q8 with 340 PS and 500 Nm of torque can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h. The mild-hybrid is designed to recuperate energy to extend the idling start-stop (powering systems such as steering and transmission oil pump). Steering, transmission and engine response as well as suspension setting are customizable with Audi Drive Select mode that can be personalized preference for individual profile allowing for comfort suspension with high response powertrain that is ideal for perfect road conditions. 

Audi Q8 - Ride Comfort

The Audi Q8 ride comfort is impressive given the large 20-inch wheel size with 40-series tyres thanks to its electronically controlled suspension damping, the ride automatically smoothens out. Wind noise is also minimal, as Audi spent plenty of time in the wind tunnel to minimize all sorts of noises which includes sealing concept for the doors and the rear hatch is sophisticated.

Audi Q8 - Fuel Economy

The fuel consumption is rated at 8.9 litres per 100 km, or 11.2 km per litre.

Audi Q8 - Conclusion

The Audi Q8 is well spec given the power output and looks to compete with its rivals. However, the Audi brand is Malaysia is not as strong as it used to be due to various factors.