Audi reveals all-new Q8 flagship SUV

Audi has stopping the teasing and unveiled the Q8 – a new 'coupe' derivative of its Q7 large SUV.

Created to go head-to-head with both BMW's X6 and the Mercedes GLE Coupe, Audi's sportier large crossover will go on sale in Europe in the third quarter of 2018 priced from around $A115,000.

The Audi Q8's Australian release will follow in early 2019.

Measuring in at 4986mm long, the Q8 is 66mm shorter than the seven-seat Q7, but Audi's sporty SUV coupe is 27mm wider and lower than the more family-friendly SUV it shares much with.

This, as well as a more rakish rear-end, is claimed to give the Q8 a more aggressive, sportier stance.

As predicted, the Q8 stays true to the Q8 Sport concept that was shown at the 2017 Geneva motor show.

Adopting a development of the show car's huge upright octagonal grille with a large brushed aluminium frame, the imposing grille is flanked either side by two further triangular air intakes.

Featuring a coupe silhouette, flared wheel-arches – complete with the firm's trademark 'quattro blisters' -- and enormous 22-inch alloy rims while, the Q8 gets a full-width LED rear light bar reminiscent of the latest A8 limousine.

It all adds up to an SUV that's unlikely to be mistaken for the existing Q7.

With a longer wheelbase of almost 3000mm, Audi claims the Q8 is class-leading for passenger space, with more legroom and headroom than any of its rivals.

Available with either four or five seats, the Q8's rear seats can slide forward to provide more space for luggage. With the seats up in their standard position, there's 605 litres available. With the seats down, the Q8 offers a sizeable 1755 litres of space.

Early on its life, the Q8 will come with a 210kW 3.0-litre V6 diesel (badged as the Q8 TDI 50), making it capable of hitting 100km/h in just 6.3 seconds and topping at around 230km/h

Later on in 2019, a more powerful 250kW 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol (Q8 55 TFSI) will arrive, along with an entry-level 170kW V6 diesel (Q8 45 TDI).

All engines will benefit from the German car-maker's advanced 48-volt mild-hybrid technology that saves fuel with its ability to coast (engine off) at speeds from 55km/h to 160km/h. The same system allows longer engine-off periods during stop-start going around town.

The diesel engines will come with an eight-speed automatic while the 55 TFSI bags a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Helping boost comfort and agility, the Q8 will come with the option of a new adaptive air suspension that works with the Audi Drive Select system to provide seven driving modes.

Like the Q7, the Q8 comes equipped with all-wheel steering.

Other new tech includes a dizzying 39 driver aids that come courtesy of the Q8's 23 sensors.

Tour Assist, for example, introduces a new adaptive cruise control system that is capable of self-steering to keep within lanes and even automatically slowing the car (or speeding up) when there's a speed limit change.

Emergency Assist, meanwhile, monitors driver alertness and can bring the Q8 to a stop if it thinks its driver has drifted off to sleep.

Park Plus Assist is a clever new addition that projects a 3D overhead view of the space you're trying to park in and actively warns you if you're about to kerb a wheel.

Park Pilot, again, will be invaluable for those who would struggle to park up the large Q8 in a busy urban environment as it can work with the driver outside of the vehicle to help supervise.

For those who struggle with towing, a new Trailer Assist function helps the car and trailer reverse safely in the direction you desire using the infotainment screen to point where you and your trailer need to go.

Later on, there will be a Garage Pilot system that's capable of remotely guiding the Q8 autonomously in and out of your garage.

Inside, the Q8 appears heavily inspired by the recently launched A8, coming equipped with a pair of stacked touch-screens in the centre console.

The larger 10.1-inch screen is responsible for the infotainment and navigation, while the lower 8.6-inch display controls the air-conditioning.

Behind a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel, Audi's Virtual Cockpit customisable instrument panel carries over but now is supplemented by a large head-up display.

Made in the same Bratislava plant that already produces the Q7, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, the Q8 range is expected to be joined by hotter SQ8 and RS Q8 models -- the latter likely to produce more than 480kW.