The Audi RS Q8 performance is the most powerful series-produced combustion engine model in Audi Sport’s storied history. With drama, music, movement, and visual presence, this poetry in motion creates a unique relationship with the driver, making them part of the art. To truly appreciate the medium, it must to be experienced live, as it challenges the perceptions of what a family SUV can be.
It starts the moment you set eyes on the RS Q8 performance, with the large singleframe grille featuring a reinterpreted honeycomb structure where each individual honeycomb cell is now three-dimensional. The Audi rings on this character are anthracite grey, with model badging in gloss black and the RS rhombus in red ($700) and it is finished one of the new colours available in the range, Ascari Blue ($1,800).
The darkened HD Matrix LED headlights with laserlight have RS specific light signatures, with a dynamic light display lighting your way to the front door thanks to the Coming Home and Leaving Home function. For the first time, the RS Q8 performance also uses largely digitalised OLED rear lights featuring five digital light signatures. A new vertical central reflector within the rear diffuser pays homage to the Audi racing heritage. Below, black oval tailpipes are a distinguishing feature of an RS model, as is the noise that they emit. The RS Sport exhaust system helps increase the output of the RS Q8 performance and makes for a sportier, more evocative sound.
For that real bad boy look, this RS Q8 performance has the matt carbon and black exterior styling package ($9,800) featuring the front spoiler, rear trim and rear diffuser inserts in matt carbon, trim strips on side windows in gloss black, singleframe mask in matt carbon, and exterior mirror housings in matt carbon. Other exterior highlights include mammoth 23-inch light-allow wheels in 5-Y spoke design, with optional (no cost) matt black finish on this example, and developed exclusively for the Audi RS Q8 performance. Beautifully framed by the open design wheels, are the standard fitment 440 mm ceramic front brakes with blue brake calipers, some of the largest brakes ever fitted to a production SUV.
RS-specific adaptive air suspension provides unrivalled agility, precision and comfort and can vary the ride height by up to 90mm.The RS Q8 performance benefits from dynamic all-wheel steering, as well as permanent quattro all-wheel drive combined with an eight-speed Tiptronic with faster shifting times via the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. While the sport differential sends power to each axle with the best traction for more precise cornering, less understeer, and more exact turn-in.
The twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder engine produces a formidable 471 kW, an increase of 30 kW from the base model , and an immense 850 Nm of torque. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, it has also proven its superior dynamic credentials by setting an SUV lap record of 7:36.698 minutes at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. The official combined fuel consumption is 12.2L/100km and clearly, I wasn’t even scratching the performance surface, despite how much fun I was having, because for my week I only used 11.8L/100km. When your friends quip you about driving a thirsty V8-engined SUV you can smugly point out that it has 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology and it’s practical as well, towing up to 3,500kg with a braked trailer with a maximum tow ball weight of 350kg.
The drive modes available include All Road, Efficiency, Comfort, Auto and Dynamic, along with two configurable modes, RS 1 and RS 2 that have a quick select RS button on the steering wheel for an instant response. Both RS modes allow you to configure the drive system, suspension, steering, engine sound, and the quattro with sport differential. RS 2 has one more trick up its sleeve, with the option to have the ESC on or in Dynamic mode, which comes with a warning of restricted stability and Audi pre-sense operation. The Audi virtual cockpit plus is a 12.3-inch high-resolution colour display, with additional a RS layout, and it alters the fully digital configurable instrument cluster depending on the drive mode selected.
Complementing the enhanced performance, Audi has strategically reduced sound-damping materials, heightening the thrilling acoustics and delivering a visceral driving experience that underlines the sporty character of this vehicle, with the lovely V8 burble permeating the entire cabin.
Comfort and convenience are boundless starting with keyless entry on all four doors, soft door closure, and keyless start. The optional RS design package plus, blue ($4,100) on my RS Q8 performance finishes the steering wheel in black Alcantara, with stitching in mercato blue, and it has powered steering column adjustment. I discovered a new advantage of an Alcantara wheel and that is it doesn’t get burning hot in the blazing Australian sunshine. But in winter you can turn the steering wheel heating on to keep your hands toasty warm when you need them to be. The centre arm rest, sides of the centre console, door armrests and gear lever are all covered in black Dinamica with stitching in mercato blue, and the seat belts for front and rear outer seats are also blue. The black floor mats have contrast stitching in mercato blue and the RS logo, matching with the illuminated door sill and puddle lights.
The perforated Valcona leather RS sport front seats with contrast stitching and RS logo in mercato blue finish off the design package and they are heated and ventilated as standard. Both front seats have powered adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height/tilt front and rear, four-way lumbar support and two memory positions. The optional Sensory package ($9,700) adds a seat massage function too, with Wave, Pulse, Stretch, and Rest massages available with intensity control. Plus it adds, Dinamica headlining in black, with the panoramic sunroof that opens at the front and has a think sunshade being standard fitment.
Completing the Sensory package is the magnificent Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System with 23 speakers totalling 1,920 watts. The media sources available include AM radio, FM/DAB radio, USB, Bluetooth, and smartphone. The 10.1-inch infotainment system has voice control with natural speech recognition that worked well for me when making phone calls, setting a destination on the sat nav, and it changed the radio station after a couple of goes. Below is an 8.6-inch colour display for climate control functions and with handwriting recognition.
The RS Q8 performance comes with Audi connect plus Navigation & Infotainment services that gives you online traffic information with hazard alerts, parking information, and destination entry via myAudi. You also get Audi connect plus Security & Assistance services that can find your car, remotely lock and unlock, make emergency calls, and contact online roadside assistance. Audi customers enjoy a complimentary three-year Audi connect plus licence for the above services, except for Emergency call and Automatic service reminder which are valid for up to 10 years. To continue to use Audi connect plus ongoing, a paid subscription is available via your MyAudi account.
The wireless Android Auto worked well for me, with no drop outs, and Apple CarPlay is also available. There’s a wireless phone charger under the arm rest, with two USB-C ports also here. The RS Q8 has the older style Audi centre console with two cup holders that have a removable base for easy cleaning, a key holder, and a 12V socket, and is unfortunately finished in gloss black plastic. This surface quickly becomes covered in fine dust, as does the gloss black on the dash, and it’s a shame that the optional ($2,300) inlays finished in matt carbon twill don’t extend further across the cabin.
The rear seats are very comfortable and have manual recline and forward/back adjustment. I found that the leg and headroom was ample for me and the seats had adequate under thigh support, but taller individuals may find the headroom to be tight. For the lucky children who get to call the back seat home, there are two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points, but in reality, only room for two cars seats due to the width available.
The RS Q8 performance has four-way climate controls so the rear passengers get individual temperature, mode and air speed controls and the seats are heated and you can also adjust all of these settings from the front of the vehicle as well. There are two central air vents with individual direction and on/off adjustment with air vents in the B-pillars as well and powered window blinds to help keep the sun out. The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with two slim, highly engineered cup holders, with room in the door cubbies for larger drink bottles. To keep devices powered there are two USB-C ports and one 12V socket below the rear climate controls.
The powered tailgate can be opened and closed from the external button or opened only using the key fob or the button in the cabin, which is a familiar Audi trait, and you can raise and lower the vehicle from the buttons in the boot for easier access. The cargo cover is integrated and moves up and out of the way when you open the tailgate and the boot is a good size for a family of four, with a cargo cover and four substantial tie down points, one hook, one 12V socket, two strip lights, and a tyre repair kit stored under the boot floor. If more space is needed the rear seats have a 60:40 split fold mechanism with the release on the side of the seats, which lock in but do not lie completely flat. Or the centre seat can be folded down separately for carrying longer items.
With no compromise on safety, the RS Q8 performance also features a comprehensive suite of driver assistance that can be set to three levels of intervention, Maximum, Individual that allows you to turn on and off a number of features, and Basic that engages the emergency assistance only in the case of an accident. The adaptive cruise control is still operated with the stalk behind the steering wheel. You also get Audi pre-sense front and rear, active lane assist, lane change warnings, rear cross traffic assist, blind spot monitoring (light only on the inside of the side mirrors), hill decent control, emergency assist, and a direct tyre pressure monitoring system. There are front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for front and rear side passengers, and a head level curtain airbag for front and rear. To reduce the risk of kerbing those big rims you have a standard rear-view camera with a 360-dgree view adjacent, and the option of 3D walk around view, plus front and rear parking sensors. For convenience the vehicle also has auto lights with auto high beam and auto rain sensing wipers.
The Audi RS Q8 range comes with a peace-of-mind five-year warranty and twelve years manufacturing warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
Five-year service plans are available for the RS Q8 ($4,690) and customers also can purchase Audi Advantage, an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance ($5,720). New vehicle customers can purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to eight years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current 5-year period. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to 9 years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
The Audi RS Q8 performance highlights Audi Sport’s unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of high-performance motoring, combining exceptional performance and unrivalled craftsmanship to deliver an extraordinary driving experience that perfectly embodies their commitment to Vorsprung durch Technik. Pricing for the Audi RS Q8 performance starts at $255,800 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested this RS Q8 was $284,200 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs. You can Build & Price your Audi RS Q8 performance online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
The best decisions start with a comparison and Compare The Market are proud to have helped 23 million Aussies look for a better deal on their insurance. Find out here if Compare the Market can help you save too!
| Pros | Cons |
| Its on-road presence | Gloss black plastic trim |
| The characterful V8 engine | Headroom in the rear seats would be tight for taller individuals |
| The Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System | Tailgate can be opened only from the key fob and cabin button |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.