Audi Q8

Audi Q8
Overview
Production Late 2017–
Model years 2018–present
Assembly Bratislava, Slovakia
Designer Marc Lichte (2016, 2017)
Body and chassis
Body style Full-size luxury crossover SUV
Platform MLB 2
Related Bentley Bentayga
Lamborghini Urus
Audi Q7
Porsche Cayenne

Audi Q8 is a full-size luxury sport SUV coupè made by Audi, that will be launched at the end of 2017 or in 2018. It will be the flagship of the Audi SUV line, and will be produced at the Audi Bratislava plant.[1]

Background

Audi's German rivals such as Mercedes-Benz, and BMW launched their own crossover coupès starting in the mid-2000s, with the BMW X6. Audi never made a rival crossover coupe, but had been planning to once the new bodystyle became a sales success at other brands. In addition, Audi's current range-topping SUV, the Q7, while luxurious, is not truly a range-topper and is not as luxurious as the Range Rover, or even Audi's own Audi A8. Audi decided that they needed to fill the gap between these two segments, and that they would launch "an A8 of SUVs, and thus the development of the Audi Q8 started several years ago. A second, and a third crossover coupè are currently under development, and will likely be called the Q6 and Q4. These will be launched soon after the launch of the Q8.

Due to the increased popularity of SUVs, particularly in the luxury segment, it is likely that the Q8 will be of more importance to Audi's future lineup than the A8, as the Q8 is expected to sell in higher numbers.[2]

Unveiling

The Audi Q8 was unveiled to the public in concept form on 9 January 2017, at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The production version of the Q8 will be very similar to the concept and will only have a few changes once it is brought to production.[3]

Design

The Audi Q8 will be the first SUV model designed by Audi's new head of design, Marc Lichte, and will usher in a new design language for Audi's SUVs, and for the brand as a whole. The grill is larger, with both vertical and horizontal slats, and the character lines of the Q8 are inspired by the Audi Quattro rally car from the 1980s. The Audi Q8 features full-laser headlamps and taillamps, the first-ever in a crossover or SUV. The interior too is totally redesigned and it very different from any previous Audi interior, and certain feature such as the knob-less MMI system, the three touch screens and enlarged virtual cockpit, and well as the ability for the exterior lights to project messages, lines and more onto the road, another first, will make it to production.

Powertrains

The Audi Q8 will be available with in plug-in-hybrid form, with a supercharged V6 with an electric motor and lithium ion battery. There will also be V6 and the V8 diesel used in the Audi SQ7 available as well. A fully electric version is possible as well.

Trimlines

The two known trimlines at this point are the Q8 and SQ8, as well as a likely RSQ8. There will be further derivatives and trimlines but they have not yet been revealed.

Production

The Audi Q8 will be assembled at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant beginning in late summer 2017, with deliveries to soon follow. The majority of the Q8's parts will likely come from Audi plants in Germany, and it will be assembled at the same plant which assembles the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, and some portions of the Bentley Bentayga.

Sales

The Audi Q8 will likely be a sales success, but sales projections are unavailable and further information about the sales of the Audi Q8 won't be available until some time after launch.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kable, Greg (13 February 2017). Autocar. Autocar http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2018-audi-q8-new-pics-flagship-suv. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Sheehan, Sam. "Striking Audi Q8 concept previews 2018 flagship model". Autocar. Autocar. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  3. ↑ Audi AG http://www.audi.com/en/innovation/design/audi_q8_concept.html. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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