Audi Q8 | Preview Drive

28 November 2023 Redazione News, Tested

Words Alessandro Marrone / Photos Audi Italia

SUVs are popular. No fresh news here. People like them a lot and everyone knows it. It is therefore no secret that car makers push a lot on this segment, creating further market niches that are able to satisfy the appetites of customers who – increasingly demanding – do not intend to give up on looks and sportiness, even if the model in question is mainly designed with practicality and comfort as main objectives. Audi’s Q8 has proven to tick all the boxes, satisfying even adrenaline-seekers (did anyone say RS Q8?), so it’s enjoying a well-deserved mid-life makeover.

The updates are mainly intended to follow the trend introduced with the latest features that the brand has embraced with the most recent models, thus concerning the light clusters, now equipped with even more effective LED matrix technology, lettering on the central pillar and a series of mechanical interventions useful for perfecting the excellent dynamic qualities of a coupe SUV of approximately 2 and a half tons. We find an 8-speed Tiptronic torque converter, progressive steering, adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering as an option (standard for the SQ8). On the cockpit side of things, small but important improvements to the multimedia system.

The proposal of the first engines made available is also interesting, where we find three 3-liter Mild-Hybrids: 45 TDI with 231 hp and 500 Nm, 50 TDI with 286 hp and 600 Nm and 55 TFSI with 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Then there is the SQ8, currently the only V8 powered by a 4-liter with 507 horsepower and 770 Nm. We had the opportunity to drive the so-called “middle way” – the 50 TDI – and played with its dynamics among the hills of Romagna noticing how the multipurpose concept is perfectly guaranteed and emphasized depending on the driving mode set. Where Comfort rewards a soft ride and a relaxed gearbox, Dynamic provides 600 Nm of torque, which, when released onto the always impeccable quattro all-wheel drive, gives the Q8 notable performance abilities, even on the most tortuous roads, where one might expect a few moments of crisis due to the size. The next moment it’s total relax again, with a height from the ground that allows you to tackle dirt roads without worrying about dirtying the wheel arches towards the gastronomic interlude and before the last test phase, the motorway section, the one that potentially represents the ideal context, at least for any of these launch engines. Prices start at €91,000.