Audi RS Q8 arrives in Australia
Audi’s performance RS range has a new member in the RS Q8, which arrived in Australia in October.
Like its RS Q3 little brother, the large RS Q8 combines coupe-like SUV styling with a high-performance engine. And like the RS Q3 compact SUV, the RS Q8 is also designed purely for the road, as evidenced by it claiming an SUV lap record around the Nürburgring’s Nordschliefe (that lap time was 7min 42.253sec and Audi took the record from a Mercedes-AMG GLC63 by 7 seconds).
“The Audi RS Q8 is an extraordinary feat of engineering accomplishment,’ said Paul Sansom, Managing Director of Audi Australia.
“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.
“We know that this type of exclusive vehicle is one that some of our customers have been longing for, so we are delighted to bring the first RS Q8 to Australia.”
V8 Power
The RS Q8 is powered by a 4.0-litre TFSI twin-turbo petrol V8 engine producing a massive 441kW and 800Nm. From standstill, the RS Q8 can accelerate to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and on to 200km/h in 13.7 seconds. Top speed is 250km/h.
An RS sports exhaust is standard and the note of that exhaust can be adjusted via the Audi drive select function on the virtual cockpit display.
While the high-performance V8 is obviously thirsty, some measures have been taken to offset it, including an engine start/stop system that draws on a 48V electrical system and functions at speeds up to 22km/h, saving up to 0.8 litres of fuel per 100km. Additionally, cylinder deactivation technology can shut down four cylinders under light throttle load, then resume within milliseconds when acceleration increases.
The 48-volt system that gives the RS Q8 mild-hybrid status can also recover up to 12kW under deceleration and braking.
8-speed and quattro
The 4.0 V8 is hitched to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, driving all four wheels via Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive system.
Under normal driving conditions, quattro splits torque distribution 40:60 front to rear, which Audi says provides the perfect platform for dynamic handling with optimal traction. However, up to 85 percent of torque can be directed to the rear wheels as required.
Additionally, the quattro sport rear differential has a torque vectoring function that can direct almost all rear axle torque to either wheel as required for what Audi calls “particularly dynamic driving”.
Stopping Power, Steering, Suspension
To haul up 441kW and 800Nm (and the RS Q8’s 2300kg weight), a high-performance braking package is made up of 420mm front discs with 10-piston calipers and 370mm rear discs.
An optional RS ceramic brake system swaps the steel rotors for ceramic and increases the top speed to 305km/h, but this adds $19,500 to the list price.
Dynamic all-wheel steering is standard, enhancing stability and improving the RS Q8’s turning circle by up to a metre. RS-specific adaptive air suspension is standard, too, which, according to Audi, provides a balance between suppleness and firmness depending on the driving conditions and can adjust ride height by up to 90mm.
Working in concert with the suspension is an electromechanical active roll stabilisation system, powered by the 48v electrical system and offering what Audi says is unparalleled levels of control by reducing body movement on uneven roads when driving in a straight line, then providing optimum roll compensation when cornering.
Audi RS drive select controls these systems, as well as the standard ESC and the aforementioned sports exhaust.
Style and Spec
While the standard Q8 already has a muscular appearance, the RS Q8 increases the visual impact, with a distinctive and RS-specific honeycomb fill for the main grille and lower side grilles, a dark tint to the HD Matrix LED headlights and changes to the lower front bumper and back end.
The RS Q8 introduces an Audi first in the form of 23-inch wheels, which carry an Anthracite finish as standard, with silver and matt titanium finishes optional.
Other standard features include a power tailgate with gesture control, power-assisted door closures, a panoramic glass sunroof, side and rear privacy glass and multi-function exterior mirrors. Luggage space in the 5-seater stretches up to 1,755 litres with the 40:20:40 rear seats folded.
Inside, RS Sports front seats are standard, with full power adjustability, heating and ventilation, as well as four-way lumbar support. Both front and rear seats are trimmed in premium Valcona leather.
The multi-function RS steering wheel is also trimmed in leather, there’s 4-zone climate control air conditioning, electric sunblinds for the rear seat side windows and illuminated door sills with RS logos.
A new Audi MMI infotainment system is spread across two touchscreens – 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower – with the Audi virtual cockpit, driver’s head-up display, Audi Smartphone Interface (with Android auto and wireless Apple CarPlay), a 17-speaker, 730-watt Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System, wireless charging pad and Audi music interface with 2 rear USB outlets all on the standard spec list.
Audi Connect offers a range of infotainment, security and assistance services, while driver assistance and safety tech includes adaptive cruise assist with Stop&Go and traffic jam assist, front and rear parking sensors, Audi pre-sense front and rear collision avoidance, active lane assist and side assist with cross traffic assist, collision avoidance and turn assist, plus 360-degree cameras with kerb view.
Premium Price
Now available, the Audi RS Q8 is priced at $208,500 (+ ORCs), but even with that premium price, a range of features remain on the options list, including the aforementioned RS ceramic brakes, styling packages in a choice of aluminium or carbon/black, RS design packages and a sensory package that upgrades the sound system and adds a massage function to the front seats.
See your Audi dealer for further details.
