Audi RS Q8 SUV

A super SUV that can run at full throttle on the circuit

The top model of the RS Q8 is the RS Q8 Performance, equipped with the most powerful 4.0-liter V8 turbo in Audi history, producing a maximum output of 640 PS and a maximum torque of 850 Nm.

To be honest, I couldn’t believe it. Who would have thought that such a large SUV could be driven around a circuit at full throttle? There are certainly many models on the market that are called high-performance SUVs. And their developers often say, “We developed these vehicles with circuit driving in mind.” But I was skeptical of such statements. Who on earth would drive such a large SUV on a circuit?

However, this time, my test drive of the new Audi RS Q8 Performance overturned that idea. The new RS Q8 Performance is truly a super SUV that can run freely on the circuit.

Equipped with Audi’s most powerful V8 twin-turbo engine

The most powerful model, the RS Q8 Performance, is equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that produces 640 PS and 850 Nm of torque. It is fitted with Pirelli P Zero tires. — [1]

The facelifted RS Q8 model, released in the European market in June, is a high-performance SUV equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that produces 600 PS/800 Nm and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). It also features an adaptive air suspension sport specifically tuned for the RS, a quattro sport differential, and all-wheel steering that steers the rear wheels up to 5 degrees out of phase with the front wheels at low speeds and up to 1.5 degrees in the same direction at high speeds. Optional 48V electric active roll stabilization and an RS ceramic brake system are also available, giving the car performance that exceeds that of the previous model.

The RS Q8 Performance further enhances this capability. This model is equipped with the most powerful exclusive 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine in Audi Sport’s history, with a maximum output of 640 PS and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. Furthermore, 23-inch forged aluminum wheels are available, which are approximately 5 kg lighter per wheel than the standard 22-inch aluminum wheels, for a total weight saving of approximately 20 kg for all four wheels. The exhaust system has also been made 1 kg lighter, and bold improvements have been made (?) such as reducing the front and rear insulators to further reduce weight and provide a more emotional driving experience.

As a result, the new RS Q8 Performance achieved the fastest lap time ever recorded by a production SUV on the Nürburgring Nordschleife: 7 minutes 36.698 seconds, just 3.5 seconds slower than the new RS 3. That’s shockingly fast.

RS design package available in three colors

The interior comes with the RS Design package in red, gray, and blue, and the steering wheel is made of Alcantara, which feels very nice to the touch. — [2]

This time, I took a test drive on public roads from a hotel in Sitges near Barcelona, Spain, to Parc Motul Castellori, a circuit in the mountains, and then a round trip, and I was truly amazed by how it performed.

The night before at the hotel, I had been thoroughly briefed on just how fast the new RS Q8 Performance was, so I imagined it would be a fairly massive car, but when I actually got behind the wheel, the driving feel was lighter than anything I had ever experienced before.

The 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine, which is said to have reduced sliding resistance, accelerates smoothly and responds extremely well to the movement of your right foot. The steering is light, yet conveys the road conditions and grip. The handling is very agile but not overly sensitive, and the line tracing is also excellent. The touch and braking power of the ceramic brakes are also impeccable. In short, the drivability is excellent.

It’s large, measuring 5022mm in length, 2007mm in width, 1699mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2998mm, and the vehicle weight is not light at 2275kg, but the driving feel is like driving a sports hatch that is about twice the size of the car.

It’s a car that you’ll want to actively choose as a super SUV option.

Although it is a heavyweight at 2,275 kg, the car's overwhelming chassis rigidity means it demonstrates impressive stability even when driven on a rainy circuit. — Although it is a heavyweight at 2,275 kg, the car’s overwhelming chassis rigidity means it demonstrates impressive stability even when driven on a rainy circuit.

That feeling didn’t change on the circuit, and I was able to enjoy even more aggressive driving. Parc Motor Castellori has many blind corners and a course with steep ups and downs, and unfortunately it was raining on the day, but thanks to the outstanding power performance and the overwhelming stability provided by the advanced and outstanding chassis, I was able to enjoy aggressive driving with peace of mind. For me personally, the new RS Q8 Performance is the first SUV I’ve ever driven on a circuit that I can enjoy to this extent.

Another advantage of this model is that it is extremely comfortable. It is extremely rare to find an SUV that has no weaknesses in any way. The price in Germany is not cheap, at 155,700 euros (approximately 25.7 million yen) including 19% VAT, but it is well worth it.

REPORT/Toshimi TAKEHANA

PHOTO/AUDI AG.

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ January 2025 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Audi RS Q8 Performance

Body size: Length 5022, width 2007, height 1710mm

Wheelbase: 2998mm

Vehicle weight: 2550kg

Engine: V8 DOHC twin turbo

Total displacement: 3996cc

Maximum output: 471kW (640PS) / 6000rpm

Maximum torque: 850Nm (86.7kgm) / 2300-4500rpm

Transmission: 8-speed AT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension type: Front and rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs

Tire size: Front and rear 295/40ZR22

0-100km/h acceleration: 3.6 seconds

Top speed: 305km/h