To an outsider, the Audi RS Q8 seems like a simple mix of raw power, brilliant tech and unending driver appeal, combined in a package that’s great to look at without compromising too much on practicality. It essentially offers a mix of sports-car thrills without having to give up on the ability to drive worry-free in the urban jungle. It packs in comfort and panache to be the top-level executive’s choice of wheels, while easily doubling as your weekend performance car.
As the fastest SUV around the highly challenging Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit (a record Audi set last year), the RS Q8 is definitely no ordinary SUV. It’s quite an impressive feat, considering that Nurburgring is the proving ground for performance cars, with nearly every carmaker aiming for the top spot. Having said that, the task at hand this time wasn’t as glamorous. The new Audi RS Q8 Performance had to brave Mumbai city’s variety of road conditions, and, of course, the infamous traffic. So, how well did it do?
The exterior
Before that, let’s look at the car’s remarkably sharp exterior styling. While it might appear similar to the standard-spec Q8, look closely and you’ll realise how Audi has distinguished the two. The RS Q8’s design strikes a great balance of aggression and subtlety. It also sits on massive 23-inch wheels, giving it a more purposeful appearance. The beltline and bold rear leave a lasting impression, while the LED light bar adds a touch of modernity. The black accents enhance the car’s styling and help it stand out from other SUVs that tend to have a lot more chrome on their bodywork. To sum it up, the Audi RS Q8 will make heads turn without shouting for attention.
As you’d expect from a top-class Audi, the cabin is loaded with tech yet remains luxurious. Right at the centre of the dashboard is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital cockpit for the driver. The overall fit and finish can’t be faulted, and the mix of physical controls and digital interface means the cabin is largely user-friendly. An excellent example of this is the use of haptic touch for climate control, alongside actual physical buttons for audio and cameras.
The 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system might be no match for the sonorous V8 engine but when you want to enjoy a relaxing drive, its 730-watt output will more than happily oblige. The use of premium materials might not be surprising but it has been done remarkably well in the RS Q8. While carbon fibre accents add a hint of sportiness to the cabin, there’s also the much-loved Alcantara in addition to premium leather, heightening the car’s luxury appeal. The seats are supportive and are quite comfortable, while the boot can hold a weekend’s worth of luggage without an issue. It’s nice to see that despite its focus on performance, Audi hasn’t forgotten about comfort or practicality with the RS Q8.
Luxe interior: The 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system might be no match for the sonorous V8 engine but when you want to enjoy a relaxing drive, its 730-watt output will more than happily oblige
| Photo Credit: Audi
Under the bonnet is a 4-litre V8 engine (twin-turbo, no less), producing a colossal 632 bhp and 86.67 kg-m. These figures might seem like they belong to the spec sheet of a supercar and with the way the Audi RS Q8 drives, it’s clearly nothing short of being one. The claimed 0-100 km/h of 3.6 seconds is quite other-worldly, and its brutal acceleration is just unending. The process is simple: press the accelerator hard and prepare to be pinned to the seat. The V8 engine sends power to all four wheels, and you’ll experience the kind of pull that is usually not seen in SUVs.
Its handling is equally exceptional. Especially on smooth roads, the RS Q8 just grips and grips, enabling you to attack corners at speeds that seem impossible for a non-performance SUV. The quattro AWD system deserves credit for that, as does the suspension tuning. It offers composure and overall stability at almost any speed imaginable. Add precise steering and impressive RS composite disc brakes to the mix, and you end up with a car that doesn’t feel as big or heavy on the move — especially with its agility and the ability to pick up and drop pace.
The other big plus point about having a V8 engine under the bonnet is the car’s aural performance. We took it to the newly inaugurated coastal road in Mumbai and in the tunnel sections, the way the exhaust note ricocheted off the walls was quite something. It would be a crime to have something like this in the garage and not drive with the windows rolled down occasionally because the RS Q8’s orchestra deserves to be enjoyed.
Road-holding ability
While the seats are comfortable and the ability to shoot between corners is equally commendable, the RS Q8 can be challenging on terrible roads. As mentioned earlier, its stiff suspension is tuned to give the car the best road-holding abilities regardless of speed, and the claimed top speed of 305 km/h should give you an idea of how focused the car is. So when driven on bad roads, the RS Q8 doesn’t absorb bumps well even at slow speeds. Let’s also not forget that it runs on 23-inch wheels, so naturally, it tends to jump around a bit if not driven carefully. Through traffic, while it’s a large car, the RS Q8 poses no big issues. The cabin isolates from external chaos but you’ll hear constant beeping of the sensors if the detour you took somehow ends in a narrow lane.
It’s a great mix of both worlds. On the one hand, the twin-turbo V8 engine serves as much performance as you’d ever need from a car of this type. From the occasional spirited drive to a quick run through morning traffic to work, the RS Q8 is built to handle all of it. It’s a powerhouse on wheels but also practical enough to comfortably seat people, especially when the roads aren’t too bad. Having said that, despite the size, it’s bound to be easier to live with, since you won’t have to worry too much about crossing speed breakers at an angle.
Another aspect often overlooked by many is that it can be a superb top-spec performance car if you want to fly under the radar. Of course, it garners more attention than, say, a Q7, but in comparison to the Q8, it might take onlookers a while to spot the difference. Similarly, it might not have the badge value of a Lamborghini Urus, but it offers similar performance at a lower price and is relatively inconspicuous. It can be yours for ₹2.49 crore, ex-showroom.
