Audi Australia has completed its flagship SUV range this week with the arrival of the new RSQ8 performance model.
The 2021 Audi Q8 line-up now consists of four variants, two petrol and two diesel, with the range opening at $129,900 plus on-road costs.
Riding on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo architecture, the Audi Q8 shares its running gear with a range of high-end products from the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 through to the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.
Unlike its three-row Q7 stablemate, the Q8 is solely offered as a five-seater despite being roughly the same size dimensionally.
Pricing
- 2021 Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro: $129,900
- 2021 Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro: $129,900
- 2021 Audi SQ8 TDI quattro: $165,500
- 2021 Audi RSQ8 quattro: $208,500
All prices exclude on-road costs
Engines
The core 2021 Audi Q8 range is exclusively six-cylinder in Australia, while performance models are V8 only.
Q8 50 TDI quattro models feature a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with 48V mild-hybrid technology, with outputs of 210kW of power and 600Nm of torque.
The 55 TFSI quattro, meanwhile, gets a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol producing 250kW and 500Nm, also with 48V mild-hybrid tech.
Both versions team their engines with an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
The 50 TDI claims to sprint from 0-100 in 6.3 seconds, while the 55 TFSI is slightly quicker at 5.9 seconds.
Audi’s SQ8 TDI swaps the six-cylinder diesel for a 4.0-litre diesel with two turbochargers and an electric compressor with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
Outputs for the ‘S’ model are a meaty 320kW and 900Nm, with drive again sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
Audi claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds for the SQ8.
Finally, the RSQ8 gets a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol shared with the likes of the Audi RS6 super wagon and Lamborghini Urus, tuned to deliver a massive 441kW and 800Nm.
Again, the RSQ8’s powertrain is teamed to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. According to Audi, 0-100 takes just 3.8 seconds.
Fuel Economy
The 50 TDI is the most economical Q8 money can buy in Australia, claiming to use just 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
If you choose the 55 TFSI petrol variant, that increases to 9.2L/100km.
Audi says the 48V mild-hybrid system saves up to 0.7L/100km thanks to its ability to engage the idle stop/start system from 22km/h as the vehicle comes to a rest, and switches the engine off under low load to coast and save fuel.
The SQ8 TDI is as powerful as it is efficient, with combined fuel economy of 7.8L/100km.
It’s no surprise the RSQ8 is no efficiency star, but clever engine tech and 48V trickery brings the fuel claim to 12.1L/100km.
Dimensions
The 2021 Audi Q8 measures 4986mm long, 1995mm wide and 1705mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2995mm.
It has 605L of luggage space, expanding to 1755L with the rear bench folded.
All models are rated to tow 3500kg (braked) with a maximum ball weight of 350kg.
Safety
Non-performance versions of the Audi Q8 wear a 2019-stamped five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP.
The Q8 scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupants, 71 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 75 per cent for safety assist.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting airbags for front and second row outboard seating positions and side head-protecting (curtains) for the front and second rows are standard.
Autonomous emergency braking (City, Interurban & Vulnerable Road User), lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring are also standard.
Standard Equipment
Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro and 55 TFSI quattro highlights:
- S line exterior package
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights with high beam assist
- Adaptive suspension with damper control
- Power tailgate
- MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch response (10.1-inch top, 8.6-inch lower displays)
- 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster
- Audi connect plus, smartphone interface (incl. wireless Apple CarPlay) and wireless phone charging
- DAB+ digital radio
- Audi sound system (10 speakers, six-channel amplifier, 180w)
- Audi music interface with two rear USB outlets
- Power adjustable/foldable exterior mirrors, with heating and memory
- Power adjustable seats in Valcona leather, with four-way lumbar support
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Sliding rear bench seat with 40:20:40 split fold
- Proximity entry with push-button start
The Q8 50 TDI and 55 TFSI are available with the Premium plus package ($11,100), which adds:
- 22-inch alloy wheels in five-arm design
- Adaptive air suspension
- HD Matrix LED headlights
- Privacy glass
- 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system
- Four-zone climate control
- Colour interior lighting package
Additionally, buyers can tick the Full leather package ($8900), bringing:
- Extended interior elements in fine Nappa leather
Audi SQ8 highlights:
- S body styling
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Matrix LED headlights with dynamic rear indicators
- Red brake calipers
- Adaptive air suspension sport
- Aluminium-look side mirrors
- Privacy glass
- Power-assisted door closure
- Metallic paint
- S sport front seats
- Valcona leather upholstery with diamond stitching
- Three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel
- Four-zone climate control
- Colour interior ambient lighting package
- Extended aluminium look centre console buttons
- Electric steering column adjustment
- Black cloth headliner
- Leather door armrests and centre console in leather
The SQ8 is offered with the optional Sensory package ($13,900), which adds:
- 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System (1920W)
- Black Alcantara headliner
- Massaging front seats
- Front and rear heated seats
- Full leather package
- Electric sunshades for rear side windows, manual sunshade for rear window
- Air quality package – air ioniser and fragrance incl. two perfumes
Finally, the Audi RSQ8 gets:
- Black gloss RS front grille
- RS body styling
- HD Matrix LED headlights (dark tinted)
- Front and rear dynamic indicators
- 23-inch alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel bolts
- RS sport front seats in Valcona leather with honeycomb stitching, ventilation and full electric adjustment
- Four-way lumbar support
- Front and rear heated seats
- Multifunction three-spoke RS leather steering wheel
- Air quality package
- Illuminated door sill trims with aluminium inlay and RS logo
The RSQ8 is offered with several option packages, the most expensive being the RS dynamic package plus ($19,500) which adds:
- RS ceramic brake system with red brake calipers
- Top speed increase to 305km/h
- Also available with blue calipers and grey calipers
There’s also the Sensory package ($9700) which brings:
- Alcantara headlining in black
- 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System (1920W)
- Massaging front seats
Unique to the RSQ8 is the available Carbon and black styling package ($9100), adding:
- Front spoiler, tailgate trim and rear diffuser insert in gloss carbon
- Singleframe mask in gloss carbon
- Trim strips on side windows in gloss black
- Exterior mirror housings in gloss carbon
Servicing and Warranty
All models in the Audi line-up are covered by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
The Q8 50 TDI and 55 TFSI can be had with an Audi Genuine Care Service Plan which costs $2960 for five years. Meanwhile, the SQ8 costs $3910 for the five-year maintenance package and the RSQ8 asks for $4060.
MORE: Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro review
MORE: Audi SQ8 TDI review
