Car enthusiasts in Dubai are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Audi Q8 SUV ever since its hybrid version was showcased at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. The SUV has been touted as the ‘perfect luxury SUV for Dubai’ as it will be competitively positioned against the Mercedes GLE and the BMW X6.
Audi has been quite successful in using teaser images and sneak previews for building the excitement surrounding the upcoming SUV. The near-production version was seen recently during another testing session and it gives a fair amount of idea about the SUV’s design.
The Design
It is easy to make out that the Audi Q8 and the new Lamborghini Urus share the same SUV platform. Like the Urus, the Audi Q8 has sloping roofline and an angular rear end. The most striking feature of the Audi Q8 will be the signature black grille that will appear large and gaping. The grille is flanked by slim headlights and it has two vents below it.
The taillight design, as well as the badging, were concealed and hence it can be speculated that the vehicle design might be tweaked a little bit before it is fully ready for production.
The Engine
Earlier, Audi had reported that buyers will have the option to purchase the Audi Q8 with either a petrol, diesel or a hybrid engine. There will be a number of trim levels available and the base version will get a 3.0-litre turbo diesel six-cylinder engine while the premium version will get a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is bound to deliver a sporty performance.
Earlier, Audi had revealed that the petrol-electric powertrain will be highly efficient and the car will have an electric-only range of 31 miles. Not much has been revealed about the hybrid powertrain but it is known for sure that it is being developed in collaboration with Porsche.
Apart from the base version and the premium versions, other models of the Audi Q8 will get either a V6 or a V8 engine. Audi is likely to release the faster high-performance S as well as RS versions of the SUV after the launch of the standard models.
The Interiors
The interiors will be inspired by the new-generation A8 sedan. The key feature of the cabin will be the infotainment display at the center that will be powered by Audi’s advanced ‘virtual cockpit’ software.
Owners have the freedom of customizing the display to highlight the frequently used features like satellite navigations or phone communications. Audi hasn’t revealed the pricing details of the Q8 and enthusiasts in Dubai will need to wait until further information is released.
Images From Motor1 Site
