Audi Teases The Q8 With New Rendering And Video Series Trailer

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published May 15, 2018

The flagship SUV draws ever nearer

It’s been six years since Audi trademarked the Q8 nameplate, and now, it’s looking like the official release of the luxury SUV range-topper is imminent, as previewed by a new rendering and release video trailer.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

Four Ring fans eager to get their eyeballs on the new Q8 are surely eating up Audi’s latest social post, which shows a rendered rear end of the SUV in concept form.

“Most definitely not a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but an SUV with coupe design: the new Audi Q8,” reads the post text.

While the rendering is definitely quite striking, the final production version will most likely look quite a bit different. That said, the rendering does show off a select group of individual design elements that surely will make it into the finalized aesthetic.

In the lead up to the debut of the Q8, Audi is also planning the release of a five-part video series wherein the SUV will play a major role. The first episode will drop on May 21st, but you can check out the trailer below.

All told, the video seems to feature a kidnapping, sex, violence, drugs, and of course, the Q8 thrown into the mix. Not much info is given, and shots of the SUV are extremely limited, however Audi offers a description of the series in the following blurb:

“Sandra and Quentin, an extravagant power couple from the Golden State, had it all. Successful careers, a design loft, an influential circle of friends, and the perfect car to match it all. But in a split second everything is about to change.”

As for the SUV itself, the rendering previews features like plus-sized wheels, as well as taillights designed as a single strip stretching from fender to fender. Below the lights will be a pair of exhaust tips integrated with the lower portion of the bumper, plus a diffuser element. A leading rooftop lip spoiler tops it off. Polished window surrounds add a splash of brightness to the profile, and large fenders swallow up the alloys.

Inside, the layout should look quite sharp, with loads of high-end materials like leather and Alcantara for the upholstery, as well as aluminum trim for the surrounds. We’re also expecting the latest technology spec and an all-digital instrument pod.

A two-tier digital screen set-up will be found in the center console and central tunnel, with the infotainment stuff highlighted in the upper screen, and climate control added to the lower screen.

As for the oily bits, the Q8 will likely offer a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making around 252 horsepower, as well as a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 making 355 horsepower. A plug-in hybrid mating a turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with a single electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack should also be offered, with peak output rated at 443 horsepower, not to mention upwards of 37 miles of range on electric power alone. And of course, don’t forget the go-faster variants, such as the SQ8 and RS Q8.

Under the skin will be Volkswagen’s MLBevo platform, the same bones as the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga.

Look for the official Q8 launch this summer.