Upmarket Audi Q8 to chase growth beyond Europe
Full-size SUV flagship set for 2019 debutAudi's upcoming Q8 large luxury SUV has its eyes set firmly on Chinese, Middle Eastern and United States markets when it's released in 2019.
The thirst for premium large SUVs remains strong in the aforementioned locales, where they are seen as key status and aspirational markers.
New chief designer Marc Lichte, recently arrived from the Volkswagen mothership, will take the five-door Q8's introduction as an opportunity to differentiate from the latest Q7, which is slated to be one of the last Audis to employ the brand's current design language.
The Q8 is expected to gain a 'racier' tapered front end that will augment the shallower side glass, sloping roofline and angled rear window to create an altogether sportier look. Five- and seven-seat variants are expected.
Audi has described the five-metre-long Q8 as being on par with the A8 sedan in terms of performance and technology, though with the additional benefit of off-road competence, thanks to its raised ride height and adjustable air suspension that will be optionally available on some variants. The Volkswagen-Audi Group's second-generation MLB platform also underpins the new Q7, as well as the third-gen Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg and the upcoming Bentley Bentayga SUVs. Insiders say that the Audi and Bentley models will be the most luxurious of the group, though Bentley will be focused on the super-premium market above €150,000 – a barrier the Audi won't breach.
Adding further scope for model differentiation is the fact the MLB platform can cater to variable wheelbase and track widths. The increased use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, thinner-gauge steel and aluminium is also said to reduce weight by up to 300kg for the new Q7. As a result the Q8 is expected to duck under 2000kg for the entry-spec model.
From debut it is expected the Q8 range will commence with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol as its price leader. From there a range of higher-powered forced-induction sixes and V8s, along with diesel and plug-in hybrid variants will fill the gap to the expected 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 RS Q8. An electric Q8 is also being considered.
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