Audi Q8

With every new car, Audi has made us believe that it makes one of the most futuristic feeling car cabins in the world, and the Q8 makes a new benchmark in that aspect. The overall cabin layout is very new and brings some new design elements for the Audi family.

The three-spoke steering wheel with an octagonal center boss and silver insert at the bottom has been derived from the Q7, but every other thing here in the Q8 is all new. The instrument console has an all-new full LCD layout which shows a range of data on display. The yacht inspiration can be clearly seen here on the dashboard, with a very long strip on the upper layer of dashboard incorporating AC vents with a nice and premium chrome strip in between.

The waterfall-like slanting center console consists of two large touchscreens, one over the other. While the upper screen is a display for the infotainment system, the lower one is for four-zone climate control and convenience functions. The piano black with oak wood garnish on the dashboard, center console door inserts make it look elegant. Other prominent features of the Q8’s cabin includes contour lighting, enhanced MMI interface with newly added functions, Bang & Olufsen sound system and wifi hotspot with Audi connect key, apart from the usual features seen on a high-end car.

Compared to all the previously designed SUVs, the Audi Q8 brings in a new design theme altogether, with a new design language showcasing how all the future SUVs from Audi will look like.

At the front, the Audi Q8 gets an all-new massive looking octagonal shaped front grille with chrome surrounds and vertical chrome slats within it. The arrow-shaped headlamp assembly inculcates daytime running LEDs on the upper portion and LED projectors below it. The bonnet gets very prominent big haunches, making the front look very muscular.

Moving towards the sides, the Q8 showcases a very impressive coupe profile, with sharper creases making it look very distinctive. While the long wheelbase and low roofline are clear coupe highlights, the big and blocky rear wheel arches, side cladding, and prominent creases on side profile are traditional SUV traits.  The dual tone 5-spoke alloy wheels and chrome garnish around the side windows add some premium touch to the side profile.

At the rear too, the coupe profile of the Q8 is very evident with rakish rear windscreen with spoiler above it. Audi has paid special attention to the lighting techniques at the rear, with both the rear full LED tail lamp adjoined by another thin strip of LED, just like how we have seen previously on the A8. The thick piano black garnish on the boot and chrome touches on the rear bumper makes it look very premium.

For the Q8, Audi has its best-ever Quattro four-wheel-drive technology on offer, given that it is a flagship offering. To make it more capable on and off the road, Audi has equipped the Q8 with adaptive air sport suspension, Audi drive select with seven modes and all-wheel steering for better maneuverability around town.

The single-engine option which Audi has developed for the Q8 is its most powerful diesel engine – the 50 TDI. This 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine comes with a new mild hybrid technology, which includes a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter, for a more smooth and silent driving experience. The engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and pumps out 282PS of maximum power.

Apart from the regular safety aids, the Audi Q8 packs in a host of futuristic safety features, which involves the use of 39 driver assistance systems. The list includes tour assist with adaptive cruise control, emergency assist watches for driver alertness, park plus assist, Park pilot and trailer assist.

The Q8 is one of the very important products for Audi in recent times, owing to the fact that it showcases what we can expect from future Audi products, in terms of design and technologies. The Q8 packs in one of the most advanced gadgetries and systems on offer, making it one of the most modern and dynamic SUVs one can buy with all the money of the world.