Audi RS Q8 undercuts rivals

Audi Australia has announcing local pricing and specifications for its new SUV flagship, the Audi RS Q8 TFSI quattro, ahead of its arrival in October.

At $208,500 plus on-road costs, the Audi RS Q8 is $78,600 pricier than the existing Q8 50 TDI and 55 TFSI models (both $129,900), but will undercut its most direct rival, the BMW X6 M Competition ($213,900), by more than $5000.

While pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 is yet to be announced, other competitors like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($246,400) and Turbo Coupe ($259,400), and the Maserati Levante GTS ($265,000) and Trofeo ($330,000) are even more expensive.

Of course, the big-ticket item for the Audi RS Q8 is a piping-hot 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 that delivers 441kW/800Nm – not much less than the same engine in the world’s quickest SUV, the 478kW/850Nm Lamborghini Urus.

The mechanically similar Italian SUV is claimed to hit 100km/h in 3.6 seconds, while the Audi RS Q8 is only slightly slower at 3.8sec, although it’s a lot slower to 200km/h (13.7 v 9.2sec) and has a much lower top speed (250 v 305km/h).

The RS Q8’s top speed can be raised to the same figure via the optional RS Dynamic package plus, which also includes ceramic brakes, aut Audi claims its flagship SUV is the fastest production SUV around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a rapid 7:42.253 lap time set by Frank Stippler in 2019. And of course the Lambo is almost twice the price at $390K.

At 12.1L/100km, the Audi RS Q8 consumes less fuel than the Urus (12.7L/100km), in part because it’s equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system, which recovers up to 12kW of power during deceleration and braking, allegedly saving up to 0.8L/100km.

The 48V electrical system also facilitates an electromechanical active roll stabilisation system that Audi says offers unparalleled levels of body control courtesy of its adjustable stabilizer bars.

Other standard hardware includes adaptive air suspension, dynamic all-wheel steering, an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive that distributes 60 per cent of torque to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions, and up to 85 per cent when required, plus a quattro sport differential that splits torque across the rear axle.

There are also red 10-piston calipers clamping 420mm front discs, with 370mm rotors at the rear. An optional RS ceramic braking system saves 34kg in unsprung weight and comprises even larger (440mm) front discs and the choice of grey, red or blue caliper colours.

Standard features for Australia include an RS sports exhaust with twin outboard oval outlets, Audi Drive Select with new RS 1 and RS 2 modes, virtual cockpit digital instruments, dark tinted HD Matrix LED headlights, dynamic front and rear indicators and, for the first time ever on an Audi production vehicle, 23-inch alloy wheels.

Other standard Aussie equipment includes anti-theft wheel bolts with loose wheel detection, electric tailgate, power-assisted door closure, rear privacy glass, panoramic glass sunroof, Convenience key (including gesture control for boot opening), metallic paint and heated, power-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with memory.

Inside, there’s premium Valcona leather with honeycomb stitching, ventilated and fully electric RS sport front seats, heated front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, multi-function flat-bottom three-spoke RS leather steering wheel, electric rear window sunblinds, illuminated door sill trims with aluminium inlay and RS logos.

Rounding out the list is Audi’s dual-screen (10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower) infotainment and climate control systems with Android auto, wireless Apple CarPlay), a 17-speaker/730-Watt Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, 360-degree cameras with kerb view, head-up display and tyre pressure monitoring.

Several options are of course available, including the RS Dynamic package plus, RS design package, Sensory package, two exterior styling packages including a matt aluminium styling package and a carbon/black styling package, and the choice of eight exterior colours and three interior trims.

The Audi RS Q8 is available to order now via a new online purchase platform at the German brand’s public website, ahead of first deliveries in October.

“The Audi RS Q8 is an extraordinary feat of engineering accomplishment,” said Audi Australia managing director Paul Sansom.

“Creating a vehicle that truly serves its purpose as a functional, versatile family vehicle without compromising on the kind of stratospheric performance that is expected of an RS flagship is a remarkable achievement by Audi Sport GmbH.

“We know that this type of exclusive vehicle is one that some of our customers have been longing for, and so we are delighted to bring the first RS Q8 to Australia.”

Spanish drive of the new Audi RS Q8