Audi RS Q8 review: Q8 and left no crumbs

To an outsider, the Audi RS Q8 looks as if a easy mixture of uncooked energy, good tech and never-ending driver attraction, mixed in a package deal that’s nice to have a look at with out compromising an excessive amount of on practicality. It primarily presents a mixture of sports-car thrills with out having to surrender on the flexibility to drive worry-free within the city jungle. It packs in consolation and panache to be the top-level government’s selection of wheels, whereas simply doubling as your weekend efficiency automotive.

Because the quickest SUV across the extremely difficult Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit (a file Audi set final 12 months), the RS Q8 is unquestionably no extraordinary SUV. It’s fairly a formidable feat, contemplating that Nurburgring is the proving floor for efficiency automobiles, with almost each carmaker aiming for the highest spot. Having stated that, the duty at hand this time wasn’t as glamorous. The brand new Audi RS Q8 Efficiency needed to courageous Mumbai metropolis’s number of street circumstances, and, in fact, the notorious site visitors. So, how effectively did it do?

The outside

Earlier than that, let’s take a look at the automotive’s remarkably sharp exterior styling. Whereas it would seem much like the standard-spec Q8, look intently and also you’ll realise how Audi has distinguished the 2. The RS Q8’s design strikes an important steadiness of aggression and subtlety. It additionally sits on large 23-inch wheels, giving it a extra purposeful look. The beltline and daring rear go away an enduring impression, whereas the LED gentle bar provides a contact of modernity. The black accents improve the automotive’s styling and assist it stand out from different SUVs that are likely to have much more chrome on their bodywork. To sum it up, the Audi RS Q8 will make heads flip with out shouting for consideration.

As you’d count on from a top-class Audi, the cabin is loaded with tech but stays luxurious. Proper on the centre of the dashboard is a ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital cockpit for the motive force. The general match and end can’t be faulted, and the combination of bodily controls and digital interface means the cabin is basically user-friendly. A wonderful instance of that is the usage of haptic contact for local weather management, alongside precise bodily buttons for audio and cameras.

The 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system could be no match for the sonorous V8 engine however once you need to get pleasure from a soothing drive, its 730-watt output will greater than fortunately oblige. Using premium supplies may not be shocking nevertheless it has been performed remarkably effectively within the RS Q8. Whereas carbon fibre accents add a touch of sportiness to the cabin, there’s additionally the much-loved Alcantara along with premium leather-based, heightening the automotive’s luxurious attraction. The seats are supportive and are fairly comfy, whereas the boot can maintain a weekend’s value of baggage with out a difficulty. It’s good to see that regardless of its deal with efficiency, Audi hasn’t forgotten about consolation or practicality with the RS Q8.

Below the bonnet is a 4-litre V8 engine (twin-turbo, no much less), producing a colossal 632 bhp and 86.67 kg-m. These figures would possibly look like they belong to the spec sheet of a supercar and with the best way the Audi RS Q8 drives, it’s clearly nothing in need of being one. The claimed 0-100 km/h of three.6 seconds is kind of other-worldly, and its brutal acceleration is simply never-ending. The method is straightforward: press the accelerator arduous and put together to be pinned to the seat. The V8 engine sends energy to all 4 wheels, and also you’ll expertise the sort of pull that’s often not seen in SUVs.

Its dealing with is equally distinctive. Particularly on clean roads, the RS Q8 simply grips and grips, enabling you to assault corners at speeds that appear unattainable for a non-performance SUV. The quattro AWD system deserves credit score for that, as does the suspension tuning. It presents composure and general stability at virtually any pace conceivable. Add exact steering and spectacular RS composite disc brakes to the combination, and you find yourself with a automotive that doesn’t really feel as massive or heavy on the transfer — particularly with its agility and the flexibility to choose up and drop tempo.

The opposite massive plus level about having a V8 engine below the bonnet is the automotive’s aural efficiency. We took it to the newly inaugurated coastal street in Mumbai and within the tunnel sections, the best way the exhaust notice ricocheted off the partitions was fairly one thing. It could be a criminal offense to have one thing like this within the storage and never drive with the home windows rolled down sometimes as a result of the RS Q8’s orchestra deserves to be loved.

Highway-holding means

Whereas the seats are comfy and the flexibility to shoot between corners is equally commendable, the RS Q8 might be difficult on horrible roads. As talked about earlier, its stiff suspension is tuned to provide the automotive the very best road-holding talents no matter pace, and the claimed high pace of 305 km/h ought to provide you with an thought of how centered the automotive is. So when pushed on dangerous roads, the RS Q8 doesn’t take up bumps effectively even at sluggish speeds. Let’s additionally not neglect that it runs on 23-inch wheels, so naturally, it tends to leap round a bit if not pushed rigorously. Via site visitors, whereas it’s a big automotive, the RS Q8 poses no massive points. The cabin isolates from exterior chaos however you’ll hear fixed beeping of the sensors if the detour you took by some means ends in a slim lane.

It’s an important mixture of each worlds. On the one hand, the twin-turbo V8 engine serves as a lot efficiency as you’d ever want from a automotive of this kind. From the occasional spirited drive to a fast run by means of morning site visitors to work, the RS Q8 is constructed to deal with all of it. It’s a powerhouse on wheels but in addition sensible sufficient to comfortably seat individuals, particularly when the roads aren’t too dangerous. Having stated that, regardless of the dimensions, it’s certain to be simpler to dwell with, because you received’t have to fret an excessive amount of about crossing pace breakers at an angle.

One other facet typically neglected by many is that it may be an excellent top-spec efficiency automotive if you wish to fly below the radar. In fact, it garners extra consideration than, say, a Q7, however compared to the Q8, it would take onlookers some time to identify the distinction. Equally, it may not have the badge worth of a Lamborghini Urus, nevertheless it presents related efficiency at a lower cost and is comparatively inconspicuous. It may be yours for ₹2.49 crore, ex-showroom.