The Audi Q8, another one in a long line of coupe-bodied luxury SUVs, was launched this year and has now been given the ABT Sportsline treatment. The end result is subtle but, as a house tuner for Audi, ABT knew how to churn out every ounce of performance out of the Q8.

The Q8, which is categorized as a mid-size luxury coupe SUV, is an alternative to the Cayenne or the X7. It's the first model designed by Audi's new chief of design, Marc Lichte, and arrived with a choice of two V-6 engines: a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged gas engine and a 3.0-liter diesel.

Now, ABT took it upon themselves to improve, aesthetically as well as mechanically, the Q8. What they've unveiled is a great example of the 'less is more' ideology: the car doesn't have a widebody or particularly flashy add-ons but makes a strong statement nonetheless. Having said that, ABT announced that a new aero kit for the Q8 is in the works.

Keep on reading to learn more about the Audi Q8 by ABT.

Audi Q8 by ABT Exterior

"For those who want a little more in terms of look and feel than the production version can offer, ABT Sportsline has the answer", is how German tuning company ABT starts the statement released alongside the new Q8 ABT. It may sound like they're getting ahead of themselves but ABT isn't just another tuning company that decided to take on an Audi project. No, ABT is the top Audi tuner in the world and they have been customizing the cars with the Four Rings on the nose for the better part of three decades.

The new SUV, which is built at the Audi plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, looks almost bone stock in ABT guise.

What we can see is that the glorious honeycomb grille up front was left untouched, as is the case with the outer grilles incorporated in the lower part of the front bumper. The rear is also essentially unchanged with the connected rear taillights and the twin exhaust setup still in place. At least, the 50 TDI model comes with new rims.

ABT Sportsline lets you choose between two 22-inch rim types that fit well within the Q8s wheel arches. "Two interesting options are available: the sporty, elegant ABT FR in mystic black with front-polished double spokes – or the extremely present ABT SPORT GR", said ABT in an exuberant launch press release. "The wheel with the strongly concave rim base is available in matt black with diamond-machined surface or in glossy black with diamond-machined rim flange".

Audi Q8 by ABT Interior

Note: Standard Audi Q8 pictured here.

The German tuners decided it's fitting to also fiddle with the interior of the Q8. It already looks spaceship-like with the center infotainment screen neatly incorporated in the dashboard fascia. There's also a second screen within the center console which commands even more functions available at your fingertips. The whole interior exudes a premium feel as Audi only used lavish leather and premium metals across the board.

We'll let you decide whether that's good or bad. ABT argues that " still lets experts know that there is something very special hiding under the hood of this vehicle." The statement doubles down by saying that "the ABT integrated entrance light is another optional visual effect, projecting the tuner logo onto the asphalt when the door is open." This might make some people notice that you're not driving around in a standard Q8 - just maybe.

Audi Q8 by ABT Drivetrain

The Q8 comes, at the moment, with only two engine options. You can either opt for the 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 gas engine or the V-6 turbo-diesel engine. The latter is what's under the hood of the 50 TDI Q8 by ABT. Originally, the engine develops 286 horsepower and 442.5 pound-feet of torque.

But ABT was able to extract more from the diesel unit through the ABT Engine Control unit (AEC). According to the Bavarian tuner, it "ensures maximum reliability and optimum power delivery". On top of that, "complex calibration runs on the chassis dynamometer and on public roads as well as comprehensive measures for engine protection and extensive warranties render this possible".

The power still hits the road through the sophisticated Tiptronic gearbox and the Quattro AWD system. Also, the Q8 by ABT still weighs about 4,916 pounds but, with the added ponies, the 0 to 62 mph time should drop below the 6-second mark. The top speed might be limited now to 155 mph.

Audi Q8 by ABT Pricing

ABT Sportsline didn't inform us in their statement about the price of this subtle tuning kit. We only know how much a bone-stock Q8 would set you back and that's anywhere between $67,400 and $76,550 depending on the trim level you go for.

Final Thoughts

ABT Sportsline's first stab at modifying the new Q8 is a rather toothless machine. Yes, the Germans successfully managed to get more horsepower out of the turbocharged diesel engine but they didn't really bother to do much else. Those wheels are anyway in ABT's inventory so the only real treatment was the special ECU system.

Of course, a new aero pack is in the making and with it, we reckon, ABT will bring out more power from the Q8, preferably the gas-powered model. We shall wait and see how ludicrous the next ABT-tuned Q8 will be.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Audi Q8.

Read our full review on the 2017 Audi Q8 Sport Concept.

Read our full review on the 2017 Audi Q8 E-tron Concept.