Earlier this year Audi released the Q8 concept only to announce shortly after that they are going to put the car into production. It seems that this new model will be released with the 2018 Audi Q8 and it is going to be a full-size coupe-crossover, similar to what the other two German manufacturers are offering. Even though the production model hasn’t been revealed just yet, the new Q8 has been spied testing on the open road. The better part is the fact that it has been seen alongside the new Q7 so we can see the differences between the two cars.
Pros….
Excellent design
Luxurious and comfortable interior
Powerful engines
….Cons
We have no official information yet
2018 Audi Q8 Review
The new Audi Q8 is going to be based on the same MLB Evo platform as pretty much all of their other cars. From the latest spy shots, it looks like the Q8’s wheelbase is not much smaller than that of the Q7.
The Q8 is definitely going to be both shorter and lower than the Q7 but it will be wider
In fact, the two cars seem to share the same wheelbase which is really interesting to see.
2018 Audi Q8 shown – Source: autoblog.com
The car’s design is also vastly different from its sibling which should make it stand out from a crowd.
Exterior
One of the more impressive parts about the new 2018 Audi Q8 has to be the way it looks.
Even though at this point we have only seen the camouflaged test mule, the car’s lines were clearly visible through all that camouflaging material. For starters, the front end is all new and it looks to share some design cues with the brand new A8.
The front bumper also boasts a small splitter as well as large side intakes which are likely used for cooling the intercoolers
The car boasts a slimmer but wider grille than the Q7 as well as much slimmer headlights which are slightly raked towards the back.
2018 Audi Q8 shown – Source: carprousa.com
The Q8 is lower than its sibling and it also features a sloped roof-line which arches towards the back.
The rear of the car is also quite interesting. It seems Audi wants a really sporty crossover but not like the GLE or the X6. Instead, they went for a Urus-like rear end which is far superior in our opinion.
Also, unlike the Q7 with the doors including the lower sills, it seems the Q8 will feature regular doors. These will have frameless windows and they do seem to be longer than on the Q7.
World Premiere – NAIAS 2017
Interior
Even though the car is months away from release, it is safe to assume the cabin of the upcoming 2018 Audi Q8 is going to be very similar to the new A8 and not to the Q7.
Expect it to boast the massive 12-inch infotainment screen as well as the secondary touch-screen which will be used for all the other regular controls.
2018 Audi Q8 shown – Source: thetruthaboutcars.com
As standard, the car is expected to boast a fully digital instrument cluster and up to 5 seats
The higher end versions of the Q8, on the other hand, are expected to feature just 4 individual bucket seats.
Engine and Specs of 2018 Audi Q8
The base model of the 2018 Audi Q8 is more than likely going to hit the market with a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 good for around 350 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque.
Further up the range, we should see a 2.9 liter turbo-V6 which will deliver closer to 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Some rumors also suggested a new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 which would power a future RS model.
| 2018 Audi Q8 | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3,0-liter turbocharged |
| Transmission | eight-speed dual clutch automatic |
| Displacement | 3,0-liter |
| Power/torque | 350hp - 360 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 8 sec |
| Top Speed | 155mph |
Further up the range, we should see a 2.9 liter turbo-V6 which will deliver closer to 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.
Some rumors also suggested a new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 which would power a future RS model.
2018 Audi Q8 Drivetrain – Source: insideevs.com
This would develop north of 600 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, basically allow Audi to dominate their class.
All three engines are expected to be offered with Audi’s highly capable Quattro all wheel drive system and with a new 8 speed automatic
It seems that they may use the same dual-clutch gearbox that has been used by Porsche on the new Panamera.
A hybrid is also a real possibility, likely boast a V6 coupled to an electric motor, while a diesel is possible too, but only on the European market.
Release and Price
Audi didn’t reveal the price or even the release date. However, we can safely assume the Q8 is going to hit the market in 2018 and its price should be higher than that of the Q7 despite being the smaller car of the two.
| Vehicle | Price |
|---|---|
| Audi Q8 | $66,000 - $119,000 |
| Porsche Cayenne | $60,000 - $98,000 |
| BMW X6 | $63,000 - $78,000 |
| Land Rover Discovery | $50,000 - $74,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-class | $52,000 - $67,000 |
| Infiniti QX70 | $46,000 - $48,000 |
Competition
When showcased in its concept form Audi Q8 looked ready to dominate the market. Such thing is not far from achievable, but? The segment is filled with some of the most luxurious, prestigious, and performance oriented SUVs. They are Porche Cayenne, BMW X6, Bentley Bentayga, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
. . . . . write us below in the comments what you think about this car
Luxury SUV a bit sportier and more aggressive
About The Author
Sinisa Vujinovic
2018carontheroad.com is a young car magazine but one with a lot of passion and effort put into it. My name is Sinisa Vujinovic and I have been a car enthusiast since I can remember. For years, motor vehicles have been a hobby of mine and now I have decided to dedicate some time to it. That's why today you have this automotive blog on your hands. My intent is to bring the latest stories from car industry directly to you, our dear reader. Car reviews, rumors, spy photos, funny stories all in one place. Hope you will enjoy reading as much as I have while writing these articles. Thanks for being here with us!
Perfectly composed written content , regards for information .