Audi's Q8 sets new standards in premium SUV segment

FAW-Volkswagen Audi unveiled its flagship Q8 SUV at the Chengdu motor show on Thursday, which will help the German brand get better established in China's premium SUV segment.

Hu Shaohang, vice-president of FAW-Volkswagen Audi Sales Division, said the Q8 will form a topnotch trio with the A8 sedan and the R8 sports car, and they will push the brand to unprecedented heights.

Presales for the Q8 have started, with its prices ranging from 770,000 to 1,020,000 yuan ($108,250 to $143,400). It will hit the market later in 2019.

The model is built on the MLB Evo platform, which is shared by Lamborghini's Urus and Bentley's Bentayga, thus ensuring its sportiness and craftsmanship.

As the flagship SUV of Audi's Q family, the model is inspired by the renowned Quattro rally car but features the brand's latest technologies. The combination will make it a competitive model in the segment of premium SUVs, including Porsche's Cayenne.

The Q8 combines the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe with the practical versatility of a large SUV.

Among others, it boasts sporty dynamics and upscale prestige unseen in other SUVs of the brand.

The Q8 has two engine choices: a 2.0-liter or a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine. The latter generates a maximum output of 250 kW and a top torque of 500 Nm.

It can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, and the 8-speed Tiptronic transmission offers seamless gear change.

The class-leading 48-volt mild hybrid system cuts its fuel consumption by 0.7 liters per 100 km. During braking, it can recover up to 12 kW of power and feed it back into the battery. The system also enables a start-stop range that begins at 22 km/h.

The mechanical center differential transfers force to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of 40:60 as standard. But when required, it transfers the majority to the axle with the better traction.

The adaptive air suspension, coupled with different driving modes, offers a ground clearance of 254 mm.

The Q8, which is available in 10 colors, has a brand new design language. The strong contours and the tight surfaces have made it the new face of the Q family.

Six vertical chrome struts give the radiator grille a dominant appearance. The spoiler, which is pulled towards the front, and the large air intakes highlight the confident look.

The LED headlights come as standard. The three-dimensional signature of the daytime running lights and the taillights have a digital character. A light strip connects the units at the rear.

The model has class-leading dimensions. It measures 5,006 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width and 1,704 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,995 mm.

The standard luggage space of 605 liters makes it a perfect choice for long-distance travel. With the seats in the second row folded down, the luggage compartment under the power rear hatch holds up to 1,755 liters.

The car body features an intelligent mix of materials, including many parts made of aluminum and hot-shaped steel, so it stands out for rigidity.

Inside, the Q8 offers a spacious space that beats off its competitors in most relevant dimensions, including interior length and headroom.

The interior of the SUV is very quiet thanks to elaborate sound insulation and sophisticated aeroacoustics.

The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System delivers fascinating 3D sound to all five seats, with the music flowing with superb quality.

The Q8 features the MMI touch response system, and nearly every function can be accessed via its two large displays.

The upper 10.1-inch display is used for controlling the infotainment and the navigation system. The driver uses the 8.6-inch display below that for heating and air conditioning, convenience functions and text input.

The MMI touch response allows fast and reliable operation. A confirmation click can be felt and heard when a function is selected with a finger tap.

The menu structure is intuitively logical and flat like on a smartphone, including freely configurable favorites and start screens.

In addition to all this, natural language voice control enables the driver to control the car with verbal commands.

The instruments are shown in the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit. Its high-resolution 12.3-inch display can be switched between two views via the multi-function steering wheel.

The Q8 also features a number of driving assist functions including adaptive cruise assist, efficiency assist, crossing assist, lane change warning, curb warning and 360 degree cameras.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/09/2019 page19)