This new Audi Q8 SUV coupe is
wider, shorter and lower than its Q7 sister model. With a wheelbase of nearly
3.00 meters, it offers a spacious interior that beats of its direct competitors
in most relevant dimensions, including interior length and headroom. There is a
three-seat system in the rear with longitudinally adjusting upon request. With
the seatbacks folded down, the luggage compartment under the power rear hatch
holds up to 1,755 liters.
With the imposing Singleframe
in octagonal design, the Audi Q8 is the new face of the Q family. The brawny
radiator grille stands upright and, together with the spoiler that has been
drawn toward the front and the large, highly contoured air inlets, emphasizes
the self-confident look. The elegantly sloping roofline terminates in gently
inclined D-pillars and rests against the quattro blisters above the wheel
arches, which house up to 22-inch wheels.
Numerous details hint at the
design of the original quattro. The spoiler, wheel arch trims, door trim strips
and diffuser are in a contrasting color, to further emphasise the off-road
look.
The SUV comes with standard
LED headlights with HD Matrix LED technology available as an option. Here both
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. As in the original Audi quattro, a black surface underlays this strip. Q8
owners can use the myAudi app on their smartphone to activate various lighting
functions and experience them from the outside.
The purely mechanical center
differential transfers the forces to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of
40:60 as standard. When required, it transfers the majority to the axle with
the better traction. That plus as much 254 millimeters of ground clearance,
short overhangs and hill descent control means the Audi Q8 can keep going even
after the pavement ends. The suspension with damper control is standard. Audi
offers the adaptive air suspension with controlled damping as an option, with
either comfort or sport setup. It adjusts the ride height depending on the
driving situation and the driver’s preference by as much as 90 millimeters.
Besides the standard
progressive steering, whose steering ratio becomes increasingly direct the
further the steering wheel is turned, Audi also offers the option of all-wheel
steering. It can turn the rear wheels as much as 5 degrees – counter to the
direction of the turn at low speeds to increase agility and at higher speeds in
the direction of the turn for better stability.
All drive systems are
particularly efficient thanks to the new mild hybrid technology (MHEV). The
48-volt primary electrical system incorporates two important technology
modules: a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. During braking,
it can recover up to 12 kW of power and feed it back into the battery. The MHEV
technology enables long coasting phases with the engine deactivated and a
start-stop range that begins at 22 km/h.
Easy-to-understand symbols
stand for the digital precision from Audi and for the high level of integration
of architecture and operation. The central element is the top MMI touch
response display. With its black-panel look, it almost dissolves into a large,
black surface when switched off.
With the MMI touch response
operating concept of the new Audi Q8, nearly every function can be accessed via
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 latter with his or her wrist resting comfortably and ergonomically
on the selector lever.
The Audi Q8 is top-notch with
respect to sound and connection quality thanks to the Audi phone box and
voice-over LTE. The same applies to the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound
System. It delivers 3D sound with height information to all five seats. The
music unfolds exactly how it was recorded in the concert hall.
Whether parking, in the city
or on long journeys – the Audi Q8 supports its driver in many situations. Among
the systems contributing here are the adaptive cruise assist, efficiency
assist, crossing assist, lane change warning, curb warning and 360 degree
cameras. One highlight is the remote garage pilot, which will follow in early
2019. Under the supervision of the driver, it guides the SUV into a garage and
back out again autonomously. The driver gets out of the car beforehand and
activates the process using the myAudi app on their smartphone. The (remote)
parking pilot offers a similar level of convenience. Behind all of these
features is the central driver assistance controller. It continuously computes
a differentiated model of the surroundings and uses this to manage the
assistance systems. The required data are obtained – depending on the selected
options – from up to five radar sensors, six cameras, twelve ultrasound sensors
and the laser scanner.
Source: Audi