Audi has been spotted testing its new flagship SUV on many occasions, even in India. This time however, the Q8 flagship has been spotted sans its camouflage by our spy sleuths. These are probably the best images of this production prototype yet and it comes directly from southern Spain.
Although the prototype is not completely undisguised (there is still some black masking tape all around), we can clearly see the sleek LED headlights, the cascading grille and the thick sloping D-Pillar. The tail lights are concealed but the overall shape seems to have been carried forward from the other Four Rings. The silhouette remains true to the Q8 Concept from last year's NAIAS.
The Q8 is the coupe-SUV version of the Q7. The German carmaker promised a distinct styling for its upcoming cars. However, that doesn’t seem likely with the new flagship. The LED treatment of the headlights and taillights are very similar to the current crop of Audis. The tail lights extend towards the tailgates. There are missing exhaust tips on the test mule with an additional faux grille both fore and aft. Both of these will change when the actual car is revealed in the coming months.
Interior images aren’t available at the moment, but we know the Q8 will scrounge many of its in-cabin technologies from the A8. The A8 is the tour de force for Audi currently, featuring the latest Audi Virtual Cockpit, autonomous tech and all the creature comfort expected in a Luxo barge. The Q8 is therefore expected to match the luxury sedan in terms of equipment levels.
Engine wise, the Q8 will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder engine. The vehicle might get a 48V mild hybrid setup as standard too. Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, it is believed that the engine will generate 469bhp of power and a whopping 700Nm of torque. It will also be joined by a more potent variant, the Q8 RS, with a bigger V8 under the hood.
Looking at the production-ready prototype, we can safely say that the debut of the all-new Q8 is just around the corner. The Ingolstadt based carmaker can bring the new Q8 to the Detroit Motor Show. If not, the Geneva stage is the next best bet. Audi will promptly bring the all-new Q8 to India to rival the likes of the Range Rover Velar, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
