Audi will reveal a mid-life update of its flagship Q8 SUV on September 5, and has published a single teaser image of its refreshed exterior.
The most obvious change is the revised LED tail light signature, though otherwise it looks much the same as the current car.
We can’t see in this teaser image, but previously spied prototypes have revealed a revised LED headlight signature, restyled front bumper, as well as an octagonal patterned grille insert.
It’s expected the updated Audi Q8 will also have a range of new alloy wheels, as well as different exterior paint colour options. There will likely also be changes to the interior as well.
At this stage it’s unclear if there will be changes under the bonnet.
In Australia, Audi currently offers a pair of V6-powered Q8s, plus the V8-powered SQ8 and RSQ8. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is due locally in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The Q8 50 TDI is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with a 48V mild-hybrid system, producing 210kW of power and 600Nm of torque.
Current Audi Q8
The 55 TFSI is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, producing 250kW and 500Nm.
The SQ8 has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine producing 373kW and 770Nm. It’s the only member of the wider, current Q8 family in Australia to currently lack a mild-hybrid system.
The RSQ8 is also powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, though it receives a 48V mild-hybrid system, with outputs of 441kW and 800Nm.
The forthcoming Q8 60 TFSI e basically runs the same PHEV drivetrain as the related Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid, combining a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing system outputs of 340kW and 700Nm.
The Audi Q8 was first revealed in 2018 and launch locally in 2019, slotting above the more practical, three-row Q7.
For 2023, the carmaker renamed its e-tron electric SUV to the Q8 e-tron in a move it claimed would reduce confusion.
Both the Q8 and Q8 e-tron use the same MLB evo platform, but feature different styling inside and out. A more powerful SQ8 e-tron is available, but Audi has ruled out introducing a hi-po RSQ8 e-tron in the vehicle’s current generation.
Audi is set to cease production of combustion-powered vehicles in 2033 with the exception of the Chinese market.
It has previously confirmed it will launch its last global vehicle with a combustion engine in 2025.
MORE: Everything Audi Q8
