2019 Audi Q8

To look at, the latest Audi offering known as the Q8 is hugely impressive.  Boasting an expressive design, state-of-the-art technology and luxuriously appointed interiors, this Audi sets new standards in luxury car/SUV motoring.  Though a large scale SUV, the all-new Audi Q8 combines strong contours and athletically tight surfaces to convey a feeling of power and sophistication with dynamic looks to make the most of the quattro all-wheel drive platform and TFSI hybrid power.

The Q8 comes standard on a nice set of 21-inch alloys, but you can even have the car sitting on massive 22-inch alloys with a five-double arm design – talk about an impactful styling statement.  The premium package Plus also adds HD Matrix LED headlights with front and rear dynamic indicators.  So, there are two Audi Q8 packages available: S-Line and Premium Plus.  Ten exterior paint colours and finishes are available, as well as many interior colours, tones and trimmings to make the new Q8 truly classy and very upmarket.

The main engine available in Australia for the Q8, at present, is the 55 TFSI quattro tiptronic with raw 3.0-litre petrol power combined with hybrid technology.  Known as Audi’s Q8 6-cylinder petrol engine with direct fuel injection, turbocharging and 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV), this is quite the drive.  The petrol engine is designed to run on 95 Octane.  As much as 500 Nm of torque is available for the complete driving experience, and this peak torque kicks in from 2900 rpm and remains available right through to 5300 rpm.  A maximum power of 250 kW sings sweetly through the gear changes.

Obviously, being connected to the Audi quattro AWD system means that the Audi Q8 delivers superb handling and traction.  Having the AWD feature as the Q8 platform truly solidifies the benefits of Quattro capabilities in wet and slippery conditions.  So the distribution of power from the front to rear is adjusted automatically, with up to 70 percent of the drive to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear for optimum handling.  The asymmetric/dynamic torque distribution to all wheels increases safety by automatically adjusting to changing surface conditions within a fraction of a second.  From the cockpit, the new Audi Q8 feels rock solid on the road, and quiet.  Grip and handling is very dynamic, hugely capable and agile even when the large Q8 SUV is driven quickly.

Acceleration has the 55 TFSI Q8 running from naught to ticket territory in a very swift manner – not as smart as an RS but pretty sharp none the less.  An electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h should be enough for most people’s school pick-up or grocery run!  Putting the power down on the road via a very slick-and-smooth eight speed tiptronic transmission gives the Q8 exceptional smoothness and effortless cruising ability.  Fuel consumption for the roomy Q8 SUV on a combined cycle runs well under 10 litres/100 km.  Out on the open road you should be able to drop the fuel consumption under 9 litres/100 km when driven leisurely.  Around town the car is very relaxing to drive.

Later in 2019, the Audi Q8 range offer the 50TDI, which offers 210 kW of power and 600 Nm of torque from its 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.  The TDI is also paired with the 48V mild-hybrid technology.

The new Audi Q8 is packed with all the very best safety technology available, so emergency braking keeps pedestrians and other road users safe.  This sort of technology is quite remarkable in heavily congested city traffic.  The Q8 effectively can drive itself, so could be termed a semi-autonomous car.  Park assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, intersection crossing assist, lane assist, a reversing camera, front and rear airbags (front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for front and rear side passengers, head level curtain airbags for front and rear), illuminated seat belt buckles in rear and satellite navigation sets the standards high.  Head light range control, LED lights front and rear and a tyre pressure monitoring system are also standard.

Some other nice features which the new Audi Q8 SUV comes standard with are an adaptive suspension along with Audi’s drive select system which allows the driver to select the best ride and engine response for the journey.  The new Q8 comes with the latest virtual cockpit digital display, and this is definitely one of the best high definition driver displays on the market.  For all those Smartphone addicts, the new Q8 comes with special Smartphone connectivity and wireless charging.  Musical ears will love the 10-speaker sound system which is powerful and offers concert-like clarity.

2019 Audi Q8

Travelling in the Audi Q8 is spacious and luxurious, with Valcona leather appointed contour seats being very comfortable, gorgeous to look at and available with heating functions.  Interior styling is elegant and clean, and finished with the highest quality materials.  Clever operating systems and high-tech infotainment lead Audi onward into the computerized digital age, from MMI touch response to voice control with natural speech recognition.  The three-zone climate control ensures that even the occupants in the third row will feel as equally as comfortable as those closer to the front.  Practical space is made more functional with features like an electronic tailgate, an electric luggage compartment cover, electronic seat adjustment and a convenience key.  A 605-litre luggage area with the rear seats in place expands to 1755 litres with them folded flat.  At 4986 mm long, 1995 mm wide and 1705 mm high, the new Q8 is 66 mm shorter in length but 27mm wider than the Audi Q7.

2019 Audi Q8

Life with a new Q8 is satisfying, and with such strong quality and luxury throughout the car it’s a real winner on all accounts.  Obviously, the pricing is getting up there (expect around the $125k mark for both the TFSI and TDI, then add $$ for options), but then one pays for what you get.

2019 Audi Q8

The 2019 Australian Audi Q8 models include the:

• Audi Q8 S-Line
• Audi Q8 Premium Plus

For any more information on the 2019 Audi Q8 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!