Audi Q8 - ABC Leasing

Car & Driving
The independent definitive Audi Q8 video review
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    A TRIP TO Q8(some text hidden)

    By Jonathan Crouch


    Ten Second Review word count: 50

    The Audi Q8 is one of those large coupe-style SUVs, part of a genre pioneered by BMW a decade ago with their X6 and subsequently copied by Mercedes. Audi's considered solution for fashion-orientated folk browsing in this segment is Q7-based and very Vorsprung durch technic. Especially in this updated form.


    Background word count: 205

    In this century's second decade, the Volkswagen Group's MLB Evo platform spawned lots of luxury SUVs. First, we had the Audi Q7, then the Bentley Bentayga, the Porsche Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg and the Lamborghini Urus. Finally, in 2018, we came back full circle to another Audi, a derivative of the Q7, this swoopier Q8, first launched in 2018. The Q8 was Audi's entry into the large sector SUV-coupe market, started in the Noughties by the BMW X6, which was then followed by the Mercedes GLE Coupe. The latest versions of both of those two rivals have received facelifts in recent years, so the Q8 has had one too, a car that these days sells alongside a completely separate EV model, the unrelated Q8 e-tron. Here though, we're looking at the combustion Q8, which continues to roll of the VW Group's Slovakian Bratislava production line (alongside the Q7, the Cayenne and the Touareg) and shares the same wheelbase and cabin width as its large Audi stablemate. The driveway demeanour though, is very different here, the emphasis on fashion, rather than family. It's pointless asking whether we really need this kind of car. People want them. Audi's made one. Is it any good? Let's find out.


    Driving Experience word count: 277

    Given that Audi's no longer developing combustion engines, it's no surprise to find that there are no changes beneath the bonnet of this revised Q8. The mainstream units are all V6s, engines that were already fitted with the brand's 48V mild hybrid system with its belt-driven starter motor. Across the range, your transmission will be an 8-speed Tiptronic auto. And of course there's standard quattro 4WD, which divides torque front-to-rear in a 40:60-split. When required, it transfers the majority of power to the axle with the better traction. In defiance of the current zeitgeist, the 3.0-litre TDI diesel continues as the primary powerplant, offered with 286PS in the 50 TDI model. This diesel puts out a hefty 600Nm of pulling power and accelerates this large SUV from 0 to 62mph in 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 150mph. For petrol people, there's also a 3.0-ltre six cylinder unit (no longer offered here in PHEV 'TFSIe' form). A conventional 340PS version of this engine remains though (in the 55 TFSI), which makes 62mph in 5.6s en route to 155mph. If that's insufficient, Audi also offers two conventionally-engined 4.0-litre petrol sporting models, the 507PS SQ8. And the 600PS V8 petrol RS Q8. Adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is a standard feature, with a sport set-up. This further improvers the supple ride you can expect from the aluminium five-link front and rear suspension. It can be adjusted to four modes with the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, varying the ride height of the body by up to 90mm. Q8 buyers also get standard 'progressive steering' which becomes increasingly direct as the steering angle increases.


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    Scoring

    Category: Compact Car

    Performance
    70%
    Handling
    60%
    Comfort
    70%
    Space
    70%
    Styling
    70%
    Build
    80%
    Value
    70%
    Equipment
    80%
    Economy
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    Depreciation
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    Insurance
    70%
    Total
    71%
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