The updated Audi Q8 has made its public debut in performance-focused SQ8 guise at the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, ahead of sales beginning later this month.
Audi’s Q8 flagship SUV has gained wide-ranging technology upgrades, an improvement in perceived quality and a simpler exterior design.
Priced from £75,500, the new Audi Q8 range consists of three core specifications in the UK: S Line, Black Edition and Vorsprung, offering a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains. The range is topped by the performance-focused Audi SQ8, which has Black Edition and Vorspung variants.
Entry-level S Line models are fitted with electric sports seats as standard, plus keyless go, a digital cockpit, a head-up display, four-zone climate control and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system.
As the name suggests, Black Edition models gain black trim inside and out, including 22in wheels, door mirrors and Audi badges. Black Edition cars start from £80,050.
High-spec Vorsprung cars are priced from £99,300 and are fitted with a panoramic sunroof, all-wheel steering, powerful LED headlights and leather upholstery. Other kit includes massage seats, heated rear seats, and power-closing doors.
The powerful SQ8 is priced from £97,245 and has bespoke exterior styling and 23in alloy wheels as standard, as well as Quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive air sports suspension and parking assistance.
Following the lead of the recently updated Audi Q8 E-tron, the German brand's BMW X7 rival is offered with subtle styling changes, including matrix LED lights, smoother surfacing, larger front air intakes for a more aggressive look and a new exhaust system that promises an enhanced engine note.
The most obvious visual tweak is the redesigned grille, which receives a new look specific to Audi's flagship cars, featuring vertical inlays with a brushed aluminium effect. Meanwhile, higher-trim cars get colour-coded body trim for a more minimalist look.
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My Eyes glazed over as more and more spec options were mentioned, I call them Eye Candy, it seems it's not necessarily what the vehicle drives like or its everyday usability, it's an image thing, how you want to be perceived when your out and about showing it at this car show where money is no object for most who just want o out bling each other, whereas, some countries it's just another Audi an expensive one at that.
Of course it was revealed in Qatar. The tragedy is that morons in the UK will no doubt continue to buy them.
This looks to be another Audi aesthetic exercise, update the look and feel of the car rather than bring cleaner more efficient and or more powerful engines to market, to me that's Audi as a brand all over - touch n feel over emotion and performance. I expect the RSQ8 to get the improver 631 Hp engine from the RS6 & 7 but hope for more as the RSQ8 was the best all rounder of the various performance SUVs on the market.
I don't see where in the article it links the SQ8 to diesel, perhaps Autocar amednded the text