Audi’s flagship SUV will get a minor makeover; is it too little, or does the Q8 have already got what it takes to compete in the present day?
The Audi Q8 arrived again in 2018 and have become the model’s flagship SUV. 5 years later, you’d count on a big replace, however what we’ve got here’s a reasonably gentle one. This, after all, means the brand new Q8 sits on the identical Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform, but in addition appears similar to the outgoing automobile. It presents the identical alternative of powerplants, which embrace diesel and petrol engines; for our market although, maintaining in keeping with Audi India’s technique, there can be no diesel. Additionally to not be confused, there may be the electrical Q8 – the Q8 e-tron – nonetheless, that one is definitely the up to date e-tron SUV with the Q8 moniker added on the time of its facelift, which by the way did see a extra vital replace.
So is that this replace too small and insignificant, or is the Q8 already very succesful? That’s what I used to be eager to know on condition that Audi held the brand new Q8’s international media drive in South Africa.
Adjustments are restricted to a brand new grille design and new HD Matrix laser lights.
Audi Q8 facelift exterior design
The Q8 is already a really good-looking automobile and people who like the way it appears can be completely satisfied that the facelift hasn’t tousled or produced a ‘tacked on’ new face. Even tender components just like the bumper and grille are largely the identical. The general grille form stays the identical, however the sample on it’s now hexagonal as an alternative of squares and there are L or J – relying on which facet of the grille you’re looking at – inserts, which on some trims can be painted in an offset color. Our automobile had the black pack, which meant all of it was painted black, together with the grille encompass that merges with the darkish headlight space giving the entrance finish a wider look. The chunky grille encompass additionally now appears much less cumbersome. On the decrease edge, the bumper profile could be very comparable and the air intakes on the two edges get bigger diamond-shaped openings.
The useful change is throughout the headlights, which are actually HD Matrix LED laser lights on top-spec automobiles. The styling of the sunshine signature can also be new and, curiously, you might have completely different designs to select from, so your Q8 can have a different-looking headlight from one other one. There are 4 decisions and so they mainly gentle up or preserve off completely different segments to create a distinct fashion. The laser excessive beam lights up at speeds 70kph and above and will increase the excessive beam vary. Signifying the laser headlight is a small blue LED in every headlight. As earlier than, the matrix beam means the 24 LEDs gentle up individually and always regulate to stop dazzling the oncoming visitors.
New HD Matrix LED laser lights have 4 customisable lighting patterns.
On the facet, it’s the identical as earlier than, the one modifications embrace the mannequin title now being inscribed in a refined approach on the B pillar – as with all new Audis – and the brand new alloy wheel patterns, which are available 21, 22 or 23 inches relying on the mannequin grade.
On the rear, it’s all acquainted territory save for the rear tail-lights, which are actually OLED items with a brand new signature sample that will also be customised with 4 choices to select from. Like within the Q5, the digital OLED back lights have a proximity indication operate, which lights up all of the digital OLED segments if a car comes inside two metres of the stationary Q8’s rear finish, thus warning the motive force forward to decelerate. Each headlight and tail-light items even have numerous lock and unlock sequences. In step with its new company identification change, the Audi brand can also be now the flat and non-chrome 2D unit.
Just like the headlights, new OLED rear lights even have 4 customisable patterns.
Audi Q8 facelift inside and options
Like on the surface, modifications to the insides are additionally minimal and it’s simply new decor that’s obtainable now in three patterns utilizing both a wooden, aluminium or carbon-fibre end, and new onboard apps like Spotify that are actually baked into the Q8’s working system. The Audi digital cockpit show additionally now exhibits warnings, lane change and visitors gentle data in full HD high quality.
Interiors near-identical; solely distinction is a alternative of wooden, aluminium or carbon-fibre trim.
On the Munich Motor Present, Audi supplied a glimpse of its new electronics and infotainment system, which can debut on the new Q6 e-tron. The up to date Q8 doesn’t characteristic it as the brand new system can’t be supported on the older structure. So whereas the modifications and new bits are minimal, the Q8 stays a well-equipped automobile with four-zone local weather management, panoramic sunroof, head-up show and a B&O music system, in addition to heated, ventilated and therapeutic massage seats. When it comes to security tools, there are eight airbags and an ADAS suite.
Area, too, is of course the identical as earlier than and meaning there’s loads of head and legroom on supply even on the rear. With no third row and a sloping coupe roofline like on rival X6, the Q8 rear is a really comfortable place to be in. At 605 litres, the boot is massive and may simply maintain loads of vacation and outstation baggage.
With the rear seats folded boot house will increase from 605 litres to 1,755 litres.
High quality is high notch as nicely, and the supplies and controls all really feel good to the touch and function; my favorite is the amount management knob that operates with satisfying clicks. What’s not neat although is the twin-screen MMI system, which requires you to take your eyes off the highway and hit the precise space on the touchscreen to regulate issues like temperature and blower management.
Audi Q8 facelift engine and efficiency
There’s no change to the powertrain so, as earlier than, the three.0-litre direct injection turbo petrol places out 340hp and 500Nm of torque and is mated to an 8-speed auto driving all 4 wheels. Internationally, there may be additionally a 3.0-litre diesel in two states of tune however as with Audi India’s no diesel technique, we don’t see that unit right here. What we additionally received’t see, no less than not at launch, is the sporty SQ8, which now runs the new 4.0 V8 TFSI that places out 507hp and 770 Nm of torque, or the new RS Q8 that’s additionally set to obtain an analogous improve.
Energy supply is powerful and linear all by the rev vary.
What’s the usual TFSI like then from behind the wheel? Like earlier than, it’s very pleasing. Efficiency is greater than ample, Audi claims a 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds and that’s a lot for a big SUV. Energy supply can also be sturdy, it is available in from slightly below 2,000rpm and there’s no break or really fizzling out as you climb increased up the tachometer. In case you like that mid-range punch, you’ll miss that right here, however so far as outright energy is anxious, it’s good and powerful all by.
What’s additionally good is that extending this engine doesn’t affect its refinement; even at increased revs, it stays clean and feels actually very refined, particularly at cruising speeds. When coasting between 55-160kph, the engine can shut down fully with the gentle hybrid system supporting all different capabilities.
340hp, 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine carries ahead from the pre-facelift mannequin.
Audi Q8 facelift trip and dealing with
Occupants may even benefit from the trip and dealing with stability that’s actually well-judged. Over the few dangerous stretches that we managed to search out, the trip was very nice. The air springs absorb bumps and ruts properly and with out providing you with that tender and floaty feeling and even in Sport mode the springs by no means really feel too agency. And what’s neat is that this doesn’t come at a compromise in dealing with. Round corners, the Q8 stays remarkably stage, particularly when you think about that it’s a big and heavy SUV. The air suspension with a repeatedly adaptive damping system does a effective job and you may simply get enthusiastic round corners and you’ll exit them with a smile.
Steering really feel provides you a way of confidence and dealing with is sure-footed.
The steering has sufficient weight at speeds and it provides you a way of confidence behind the wheel. At parking speeds, effort will not be single-finger twirly gentle, however it’s simply effective and by no means feels heavy.
Audi Q8 facelift value and verdict
Judging this automobile is sort of the duty. Take a look at it from the viewpoint of an replace and it’s disappointing to see little or no finished. At first look, and even in case you gaze for some time, the facelift appears identical to its predecessor, the insides are almost similar, the facility output stays the identical, and in addition to the added apps and the brand new head- and tail-lights, the tools stage stays the identical too.
However on condition that it’s a gentle replace, costs ought to stay much like the outgoing automobile, so count on the Q8 to start out at round Rs 1.2 crore when it does arrive someday within the second half of subsequent yr. Which makes it a smart purchase, as a result of once you have a look at it as a complete, with out its predecessor within the stability, there’s nothing to complain about actually. Efficiency is respectable, its trip and dealing with is surprisingly good, the insides are well-built and it’s bought all of the tools you’d count on. So it would all come all the way down to weighing up your shopping for precedence, whether or not it’s a smart purchase or a whimsical one.
Additionally see:
2024 Audi Q8 video evaluate
