The Sportiest Q

• • The most powerful SUV coupe from Audi Sport GmbH
  • High performance, variability, everyday usability

  “For the first time in the 25-year history of Audi RS models, we are putting a large SUV coupe with the genes of a true high-performance sports car on the road,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “With its biturbo V8 gasoline engine, the Audi RS Q8** is the prestigious spearhead of the RS model family.”

  Its 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 ignition sequence gives the 4.0 TFSI a sportily voluminous sound. As is typical for the RS models, the dual exhaust system features an impressive oval tailpipe on each side. The driver can influence the engine’s sound via the Audi drive select system. The optional RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipe trims offers an even sportier sound.

  The biturbo V8 in the new RS Q8** combines maximum performance and high efficiency. Its mild-hybrid system (MHEV) is based on a 48-volt main electrical system. The core of the MHEV is a belt alternator-starter connected to the crankshaft. During deceleration and braking, it can recover up to 12 kW of power and store it in the compact lithium-ion battery. If the driver takes their foot off the accelerator at a speed between 55 and 160 km/h (34.2 to 99.4 mph), the drive management selects one of two solutions depending on the driving situation and the current setting of the Audi drive select dynamic handling system: The new RS Q8** recuperates or coasts for up to 40 seconds with the engine off. The belt alternator starter starts the engine within fractions of a second when the accelerator is actuated. MHEV technology allows for start/stop operation at a speed of up to 22 km/h (13.7 mph). The mild-hybrid system is connected to the camera sensors for even greater efficiency. When stopped, the engine starts up while the brake pedal is still depressed as soon as the front camera detects that the vehicle in front of the new RS Q8** begins to move.

  Ready for anything: the suspension

  The five-link construction at the front and rear axles handle longitudinal and lateral forces separately. The linkages and the subframes are made largely of aluminum. 

  The standard adaptive air suspension sport with controlled damping means the new RS Q8** is equally at home on the racetrack or an offroad trail. Its RS-specific damper tuning allows for a particularly broad spread between a setup biased toward comfort and an extremely sporty setup. 

  The optional electromechanical active roll stabilization (EAWS) minimize body roll during fast cornering. There is a compact electric motor between the two halves of the stabilizer on each of the two axles. When driving straight ahead, the two halves of the stabilizer are decoupled, which reduces body movement on uneven roads and also increases ride comfort. During cornering, however, the focus is on optimum roll compensation. The halves of the stabilizer are twisted in opposite directions, which significantly reduces vehicle lean while cornering. The electromechanical active roll stabilization is integrated in the 48-volt main electrical system and serves as a recuperating system. It can even recover power via the electric motors and thereby feed electrical energy back to the battery.

  With the optional dynamic package plus with the electronically governed top speed of 305 km/h (189.5 mph), customers also get a chassis designed for maximum sportiness. This includes electromechanical active roll stabilization, the quattro sport differential and the RS ceramic brake system.

  The standard all-wheel steering moves the rear wheels via a high-torque electric spindle drive and two track rods. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn up to 5 degrees opposite the direction of the front wheels for greater agility. At high speeds, they turn up to 1.5 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability during fast lane changes.

  With variable ground clearance, short overhangs, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and hill descent control, the new Audi RS Q8** can carry on calmly and confidently when paved roads end.

  The driver can precisely influence the character of the RS Q8** via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. There are eight profiles from which to choose: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, allroad, offroad and the individually configurable RS-specific modes RS1 and RS2, which can be activated directly via the “RS-MODE” button on the steering wheel. Audi drive select affects such things as engine and transmission management, steering boost, the air suspension, all-wheel steering, engine sound and the characteristic of the automatic air conditioning.

  Self-confident: the exterior 

  With its imposing octagonal Singleframe, the RS-specific radiator grille in high gloss black and the gloss black RS honeycomb grille, the new Audi RS Q8** sports a strikingly self-confident face. This combined with the solid side air inlets and the blade in high gloss black perfectly highlights the athletic character of the large SUV coupe from Audi Sport GmbH.

  The new Audi RS Q8** is available in a choice of nine colors: one solid paint finish and eight metallic or pearl effect shades. The exterior mirror housings come standard in black, with body color, aluminum or carbon available as options. The aluminum and carbon styling packages set precise accents at the radiator grille, blades, diffuser clip and rear light strip (carbon only). In combination with the styling packages black and carbon, the Audi rings and RS logos at the front and rear are optionally available in black. The Audi exclusive program offers numerous additional customization options.

  Spacious sportiness: the interior

  
  The interior of the new RS Q8** features a deliberately clean design. All elements beneath the black cloth headlining have a logical connection and harmonize with one another. The headlining is optionally available in lunar silver cloth, Alcantara lunar silver or Alcantara black. The slim instrument panel and the strongly horizontal lines convey a feeling of spaciousness. The central element in the cockpit is the top MMI touch response display. With its black-panel look, it almost dissolves into a large, black surface when switched off.

  Another primary design element is the wide, symmetrical console of the center tunnel. Framing it are design elements in Aluminum Race, anthracite, which underscore the sporty character of the large SUV coupe.

  Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit and MMI display provide information on such things as tire pressure, torque, output, temperature, lap times and g-forces. The shift light display prompts the driver to upshift when the rev limit is reached. The optional head-up display also offers several RS-specific graphics.

  The sport seats in black pearl Nappa leather/Alcantara with RS embossing fit perfectly into the athletic ambiance of the large SUV coupe. An even more luxurious option are the RS sport seats in Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern and RS embossing. In addition to a massage function, the RS sport seats are perforated to also provide ventilation.

  They come standard in black, with options for cognac and granite gray. The two RS design packages include red or gray contrasting stitching on the knee pads, steering wheel rim, floor mats, selector lever and the edges of the seat belts. With both packages, the center console, selector lever and steering wheel are covered in Alcantara. Additional choices include inlays in carbon matt, gray oak or Aluminum Spectrum. The extended leather package also includes the upper door panels and takes the ambiance even further upscale.

  Contact your local Group 1 Audi centre for more information on the sportiest Q yet. 

1. Audi RS Q8: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.1 (19.4 US mpg); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 277 –276 (445.8 – 444.2 g/mi) ()

2. Audi RS 6 Avant: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 11,7 (20.1) – 11,5 (20.5), Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 268 (431.3) – 263 (423.3). Audi RS 7 Sportback: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 11,6 (20.3) – 11,4 (20.6); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 265 (426.5) – 261 (420.0). Audi RS Q3: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.6 – 8.4 (27.4 – 28.0 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 203 – 198 (326.7 – 318.7 g/mi). Audi RS Q3 Sportback: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.9 - 8.8 (26.4 - 26.7 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 204 - 202 (328.3 - 325.1 g/mi). Audi RS 4 Avant: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 9.2; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 211-210. Audi RS Q8: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.1 (19.4 US mpg); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 277 –276 (445.8 – 444.2 g/mi)

Information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as well as efficiency classes in ranges depending on the tires and alloy wheel rims used.