The Audi Q8 Sport Concept previews the performance version of the upcoming SUV
Covered in what Audi calls the Krypton orange shade, the new Q8 Sport Concept boasts of a more aggressive design language over the original Q8 concept SUV. The massive vertically stacked chrome grille has been replaced with a black honeycomb mesh unit in the massive single trapezoidal frame. The laser headlamps have been retained but now come with black inserts, offering a more aggressive look.
The production spec Audi Q8 will arrive in 2018
The Audi Q8 Sport Concept gets 12 mm wider wheel housings, while the rear diffuser has been painted black and helps reduce the visual bulk on the SUV. The concept also comes with oval shaped exhaust tips, which are otherwise reserved for the Audi's RS badged model range. The other interesting bits include massive intakes on the front bumper and the black finished mirror caps and side sills on the concept SUV.
The oval exhaust tips are usually seen on Audi's RS-spec models
Underneath that bulbous body, the Audi Q8 Sport Concept draws power from a 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder engine that comes with a mild hybrid seup and an electric powered compressor. Audi says the motor is capable of churning out 469 bhp of power and a whopping 700 Nm of torque. The Ingostadt maker's SUV concept is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.7 seconds with an attainable top speed of 275 kmph. Those are some fascinating numbers for an SUV that is expected to weigh close to 2 tonnes.
Audi Q8 Sport Concept Interior
Interestingly, the Audi Q8 Sport Concept is not only fast, but equally fuel efficient as well with an 0.9 kwh lithium-ion battery mounted underneath the boot. The battery is charged by energy recuperation and helps the SUV return a fuel efficiency figure of nearly 100 km to a litre. Audi says the Q8 concept has been designed for long journeys and will come with a range of around 1200 km on a single tank of fuel.
The concept uses a mild hybrid system assisting the 6-cylinder engine
While that certainly sounds tempting, it needs to be seen how much of the technology will actually make it to the production spec Audi Q8 that is scheduled to arrive in 2018. The automaker's flagship SUV will command a superlative price tag and and is expected to be loaded with some highly interesting creature comforts. It is likely that Audi will bring the Q8 to India as well soon after its global launch. The performance spec S or RS version, on the other hand, is expected to make its debut by 2019.
