Audi has hit a remarkable milestone, celebrating the sale of 100,000 cars in India in 15 years. But the celebration doesn’t stop there! Audi also unveiled the stunning new Audi Q8, the German manufacturer’s elegant yet powerful flagship and crown-jewel of the Q-range. Audi is known for having aesthetically pleasing designs, and the Q8 is no exception combining opulence with sportiness. Here’s some notable features –
- Bold new single-frame grille
- New HD Matrix LED Headlights with X-shaped lasers
- It is equipped with the same 3.0L V6 Turbo engine as its previous model
Exterior
The new Q8 has an updated front, starting with the bold new single-frame trapezoid shaped grille. The SUV also features new HD Matrix LED headlights with laser beams shaped in an X, revised LED DRL’s offering four distinct OLED lighting designs with animations, a panoramic sunroof and a frameless door. The Audi Q8 features 21 inch alloy wheels and is available in eight striking colors, the highlight being the Sakhir Gold. The rear of the Q8 gets a new diffuser design, ‘Park Assist Plus’ parking aid, laser-equipped HD Matrix LED tail lights and dynamic sequential indicators. All of these major changes to the exterior adds to its already commanding and remarkable presence on the road.
Interior
The interior of the new Q8 remains mostly the same compared to the outgoing model, except a few minor tweaks. The cabin gets a few different themes one can choose from, along with new-seat upholstery stitching and new trim inserts on the dashboard. The new Q8 retains its signature dual-screen center console setup, one dedicated to the infotainment and the other for climate control. But now, it takes luxury to the next level with an expanded feature list, including a Bang & Olufsen 23-speaker sound system, ventilated front and rear seats, Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and ambient lighting.
Engine
Under the hood, the Q8 retains the same 3.0L V6 Turbo Engine with 48V Mild-Hybrid technology enhancing fuel efficiency. This is paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox, delivering 340 PS and 500 Nm of torque, sending the power to all four wheels with the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. According to Audi the Q8 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.
Pricing
The new Q8 is priced at 1,17,49,000 (ex-showroom) in India. The facelift commands a premium of Rs 10 lakh over its predecessor. Bookings have commenced at a token sum of Rs 5 Lakh. The pricing paired with its new features places the Q8 at the top of the Luxury SUV segment in India.
Competitors
In the SUV segment the Q8 competes with Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. In the Indian SUV market it is definitely a superior choice in terms of its well-equipped technology and magnificent design. The Q8 provides the sportiness of a sports car combined with the benefits of an SUV with ample space for storage in an elegant looking package. If you’re looking to buy a car that turns heads everywhere it goes then the Audi Q8 is the perfect choice!
Summary
As Audi celebrates a significant milestone of selling 100,000 cars in India in the last 15 years, it also unveiled its brand new version of the Q8. The new Audi Q8 stands as the flagship in the Q-series and has a fantastic new look. It also packs in the latest tech from Audi, including the new LED headlights with X-shaped laser beams and custom animations along with updated interior features to enhance the comfort.
