The 2019 Audi Q8 has been spied undisguised for the first time, giving us a proper idea of what the German automaker’s flagship SUV will look like when it is launched later this year. This will be the largest coupe SUV that Audi produces and will rival the likes of the BMW X6 and the Mercedes GLE Coupe. We have spoken in detail about the spy shots and here then are some of the design highlights.
Toned down design
As expected, the Q8 in production guise has been toned down from the rather swanky looking concept car we saw last year. The extra muscular elements have been dropped in favour of conventional lines.
Standard Audi design elements
It has got all the conventional Audi design elements like the chrome strips, hexagonal grille, wheel design and of course, hidden behind those bits of camouflage are the C-shaped Audi tail lamps.
Coupe SUV silhouette
This is a new kind of SUV for Audi and so have they have decided to play it safe. You get a similar looking silhouette as compared to the Q7 but with a lowered roofline for the coupe SUV stance and silhouette.
Five-seats only
The Q7 is a traditional SUV and these spy pics confirm that the Q8 will be a strict five-seater to maintain a more upmarket image as compared to the Q7. Its immediate rivals are all five-seaters. So it makes sense that this car would toe that line too.
Same engine and gearbox options as the Q7
The Q8 is expected to pick up the same engine, gearbox and underpinnings from the Q7 as it based on MLB 2 platform as the latter. This means it shares bits with a variety of cars under the VW umbrella.
Hybrid and EV models
Given how Audi’s focus has moved from diesels to electric cars, it is likely that there will be at least two to three hybrid options as well as one full electric version of the Q8 once it is launched.
