There’s a good bit happening with the RS Q8. Beneath its aggressively enhanced Q8 pores and skin (the legendary Group B S1 quattro is alleged to have influenced the go-faster add-ons, though you’d be onerous pressed to see the similarities) is an upgraded Audi SQ8.
Out goes that automotive’s diesel engine, changed by the identical twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol that serves within the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Lamborghini Urus. Even in normal kind it it delivers 592bhp and 590lb ft (That’s greater than the Porsche, however lower than the Lambo). There’s additionally a 12kW starter-generator that provides the unit mild-hybrid standing, plus cylinder deactivation.
Drive is transmitted to all 4 wheels through an eight-speed computerized to four-wheel drive that may channel as much as 80% of the torque to the again axle (40/60 entrance to rear is the default setting) and is supplied with an lively torque vectoring restricted slip differential.
Suspension modifications run to a wider observe (10mm entrance and 5mm rear), revised damper charges for the adaptive air suspension and the choice of a 48V anti-roll system that’ll be acquainted to Porsche and Bentley homeowners. Our automotive was fitted with this equipment alongside non-obligatory 23-inch alloys (21s are normal), though the 295mm width of the tyre is similar no matter wheel diameter. There’s additionally four-wheel steering (normal on the flagship Vorsprung), which might flip the again wheels as much as 5 levels in the wrong way to the fronts at low pace, and 1.5 levels in the identical route above 37mph.
For the very mild mid-life facelift, the automotive retains an identical front-end to earlier than, with some minor change to the grille and new matrix LED headlights. In the meantime, the beefy rear diffuser beneficial properties new design touches, whereas wheels vary as much as 23in in measurement.
The 628bhp Efficiency range-topper is the headline addition to the mide-life facelift for the RS Q8 – and the most important change is that bumped-up output. There are a couple of exterior styling tweaks to make it look a contact beefier, together with to the entrance grille and rear diffuser. It options bespoke matrix LED headlights and non-obligatory lighter ‘motorsport-inspired’ 23in alloy wheels (a unique 23in design is obtainable on the usual mannequin).
