Beauty and beast: Audi's all-in-one 600 hp RS Q8 revealed
With great power comes great looks or at least that is what Audi is trying to signal as the German auto giant showcased the top-of-the-line RS Q8 at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Expo.
The RS Q8 sits on top of the Q series, and quite regally too. At its very core is a 4.0-litre V8 engine capable of producing 600 hp. This is more than sufficient to slingshot the SUV from stationary to 100 kmph in a heart-stopping 3.8 seconds. 200 kmph comes up in 13.7 seconds. The top speed of 250 kmph is electronically governed but there is an optional dynamic package that takes the figure up to 305 kmph.
When not making a mockery of triple-digit figures, the RS Q8 has quite the charming appeal as well. It gets an octagonal singleframe, the RS-specific radiator grille and a gloss black RS honeycomb grille. The sloping roofline flows into the forward-canted D-pillars and rests against the quattro blisters above the wheel arches. The car will be available in nine colour options.
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The cabin, Audi says, has been given a clean profile in what is a deliberate move. The sport seats come in black pearl Nappa leather/Alcantara and a special RS display will put out all necessary information like tire pressure, torque, output, temperature, lap times and g-forces. There are also a host of safety features that can be expected from a car in this segment with Audi additionally highlighting that there are 30 assist systems inside the RS Q8.
_1574397364491.jpg "Photo courtesy: Audi")
And while all of these do make a strong claim for the RS Q8, the SUV also has a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) which is based on a 48-volt main electrical system. This helps the SUV ecover up to 12 kw of power and the vehicle would be able to cruise for 40 seconds with its engine off. The company further claims that the adaptive suspension set up would make the RS Q8 as comfortable on race tracks as on mud and gravel.
All of these have made the RS Q8 quite the showstopper at the Los Angeles Auto Expo although markets outside of Europe may have some wait time before the SUV hits dealerships here. For now, Audi has said the RS Q8 will reach dealerships in Germany and several other European countries in the first quarter of 2020. And the price? 127,000 euros ( ₹1.1 crore approximately).
