The Audi RS Q8, without any doubt whatsoever, is a downright technological marvel. What Audi managed to extract from this hunchback SUV in terms of performance and practicality is worthy of all praise.

The RS Q8 packs a 4.0-liter V-8, two-axle steering, 10-piston brake calipers that bite into ceramic rotors, optional 23-inch wheels, and a mean electromechanical active roll stabilization system that makes the 5,103-pound mammoth drive like it’s on rails. Most of us couldn’t simply ask more from the souped-up SUV. Most of us, however, aren’t ABT Sportsline.

2020 Audi RS Q8 by ABT Sportsline

Specifications
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  • Model: 2020 Audi RS Q8 by ABT Sportsline
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Where there’s a new ECU, there’s a way

Let’s recap for a bit. From the factory, the 4.0-liter, bi-turbocharged V-8 churns out 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. In conjunction with the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, it enables the RS Q8 to go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 155 mph (Audi can also unlock a top speed of 190 mph at the customer’s request).



Not to mention that the RS Q8 happens to be the fastest SUV on the Nurburgring as of November 2019, with a 7:42.253 lap time (FYI, that’s seven(!) seconds faster than the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63).

Now use your brain sponge to erase that, because ABT Sportsline had its way with the RS Q8 and fitted it with a new engine control unit that provides 99 horsepower and 59 pound-feet on top of the standard readings. The result: a grand total of 690 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of twist.

According to Carscoops, the newly-found levels of grunt account for a 0.3-second cut in the RS Q8’s sprint time from naught to sixty-two, which now takes 3.5 seconds. That’s mighty impressive from a family hauler that can take your kids to school or your whole family on a cross-country road trip with the utmost comfort.

Speaking of comfort, ABT is complementing the power and torque boost with its own three-stage, adjustable suspension setup. ABT Comfort dips the suspension by 25 mm (0.9 in), ABT Dynamic adds extra 15 mm (0.5 in) to that setting, while ABT Loading or Coffee Mode brings the car 65 mm (2.5 in) closer to the ground than the original Comfort mode. On top of that, ABT will also mount a new set of 23-inch “super-light” wheels manufactured using the flow forming technology.

There’s no word on pricing, but don’t expect the ABT treatment to come cheap. The RS Q8 certainly won’t be cheap, and while there’s no official price tag provided by Audi, we expect the super-SUV (oops!) to start at around $130,000, on par with the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo.