GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 450kW Audi RS Q8 concept set to star

Audi Sport will unveil a near-production ready RS Q8 at the Geneva motor show next month, it has been revealed.

Set to rival both the BMW X6 M and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe, the flagship RS will be based on the Q8 concept that was shown at the Detroit motor show in January.

According to Autocar, which broke the RS Q8 news, the powerful SUV will shun the Q8's next-gen plug-in petrol-electric hybrid powertrain for a more traditional twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that's shared with the RS6 sedan and wagon.

In the RS Q8, the powerful petrol is set to produce around 450kW/1000Nm.

Combined with an eight-speed auto, the big SUV is expected to shrug off its near two-tonne kerb weight and hit 100km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and top out at more than 300km/h.

Speaking to an insider, Autocar says the RS version of the Q8 will come with an even wider single-frame front grille that will have a high-gloss honeycomb insert, instead of the Q8’s chrome vertical slats.

A prominent front splitter and large 'quattro' lettering will adorn the lower air intakes to complete the revised front-end styling.

Like the standard Q8, the RS version is expected to ride on air suspension but get the same electromechanical active roll stabilisation as the SQ7.

The RS Q8 also gets huge 23-inch alloy wheels, a sporty styling kit and a wider full-width LED light bar that's set to stretch across the rear tailgate incorporating the rear tail lamps.

Inside, there's sport seats, a smaller RS steering wheel and plenty of 'RS' accents to enhance the original Q8's concepts interior.

It's thought the fast RS Q8 will arrive, along with the production version of the Q8 SUV, early on in 2018.