Driven: Audi Q8 45 TDI QUATTRO
There are very few words that can describe how spectacular the Audi Q8 45 TDI QUATTRO is. Not only is it sleek on the outside but the inside is enough to give Tony Stark a run for his money. We recently got to spend some time with this luxury coupe SUV and let’s just say that the four-ringed badge has more than delivered.
Modern exterior
The Audi Q8 does sit on top of Audi’s Q family, so a sleek modern exterior would be expected. It seems that Audi has made full use of aluminium in its body structure and with its frameless windows certainly gives it a sportier appearance than its sibling the Q7. The outside features a bold new octagonal grill with both horizontal and vertical slats as well as frameless doors, muscular wheel arches, and a distinctive coupe-like silhouette. Besides its bold new look, the Q8 does also benefit from several technical advancements such as adaptive HD Matrix LED headlamps as well as a full-width OLED light bar that runs across the rear, which in my opinion looks really stunning on the road.
Diesel engine
Under the hood of the Audi Q8 45 TDI is a mean 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine that gets paired with mild-hybrid technology. The diesel powerhouse produces an impressive output of 183kW and 600 Nm of torque. It comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers a smooth and graceful driving experience. Now if you are looking to get more power, Audi does have its petrol available too. The Audi Q8 55 TFSI comes with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. It also gets paired with a mild hybrid system that helps to produce a more powerful 250kW.
State of the art interior
The inside of the Audi Q8 is lovely and spacious. It seats five passengers comfortably and offers a pleasant driver and passenger journey. It comes standard with leather upholstery as well as heated front seats. The interior adopts Audi’s new Virtual Cockpit Display digital instruments and comes with a touch screen based digital control system. The new dual-touchscreen infotainment centre certainly makes the driver feel at one with the vehicle. The centre features two touchscreens – the first is a 10.1-inch screen that is used to control the MMI entertainment and navigation. While just below that we have an 8.1-inch screen that is used to operate the climate control and seat ventilation settings. Now, this may seem intimidating at first, but once in full swing it's an absolute joy to use, not to mention easy. Of course, like any modern coupe SUV, the inside comes with lighting themes, as well as a Bang & Olufsen sound system that just further amplifies Audi’s pursuit for luxury.
Verdict
Overall, the Audi Q8 45 TDI QUATTRO makes one exceptional coupe SUV. Its comfortability and durability make long road trips feel effortless. The Q8 does however come with a steeper price tag than its sibling the Q7. But with all the modern and luxury features that come with it, is there really any doubts, that it’s worth it? I think not. The 45TDI offers exceptional ride quality and all the tech you enjoy from the 55TFSI but with a perfect balance between power and fuel economy. With that said, the 45TDI is definitely the engine of choice in the Q8 line-up. Now the Audi Q8 may stand tall in the Q range, but faces fierce competition from the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Class.
Pricing
Audi Q8 45 TDI QUATTRO R1 573 500
