Geneva Motor Show 2017: Audi Q8 Sport Concept Shows Off Potential Future Production Model

Audi has showcased the Q8 sport concept at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, potentially previewing a second variant of the upcoming flagship SUV. The Q8 sport, unlike the earlier Q8 plug-in hybrid concept showcased at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, uses a mild-hybrid system for high efficiency and boosted performance.

In terms of design, the Q8 sport concept looks broadly similar to the SUV showcased previously at the Detroit Auto Show, differentiated only by sportier-looking elements used all around.

Based on the same platform as the Q7, the Q8 sport plonks a coupe-SUV body on top for a sportier look. The SUV is 5.02 metres long and 2.05 metres wide, with a 3-metre long wheelbase - it looks imposing but lithe at the same time. The wedge-shaped all-LED headlights with x-shaped blue laser lights and dynamic LED DRLs/indicators are in sharp contrast to the other elements at the front. 

While the headlights are compact, the octagonal 'singleframe' grille, air inlets on the bumper, and the lower splitter are all in-your-face. The grille is significantly larger on the Q8 sport concept than the company's current production models and features a honeycomb inlay as compared to the vertical slats on the earlier Q8 concept.

As Audi tradition, the Q8 looks like it has been carved out from a single piece of metal when viewed from the side. The prominent wheel arches, haunches above each wheel arch, sloping roof with a sharp rear windshield rake, slim roof line thanks to frameless windows, and 22-inch alloy wheels make the Q8 sport look compact. There are no door handles; instead, the Q8 sport has touch sensors which automatically open the doors to a pre-determined position.

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At the rear, too, designers have tried to mask the size of the Q8 sport. The roof spoiler extends out by quite a margin to mask the steep rake of the rear windshield. The tail-lights are slim and stretch the entire width of the Q8 sport. A swath of aluminium also straddles the entire width of the car, placed just below the tail-lights to provide a bit of visual relief. Aluminium blades follow the outer edge of the body and are a hark back to the Audi quattro rally car. Completing the look is the aluminium diffuser with two large oval exhausts.

There's also the striking 'Krypton Orange' paint finish, in case you missed that detail. 

If you thought the Q8's exterior design was striking, the interior design will blow your mind. 

The Q8 sport is another example of the direction Audi is taking with interior design. It is all about lending a roomy feel while highlighting the use of ultra-modern tech. The dashboard has a stepped look, with each 'step' progressively moving closer to the front passengers. Each step also uses different materials: the top is plastic, followed by silver-coloured aluminium, piano-black surface with large inlaid screens (instrument cluster and infotainment), inlays and finally cloth/leather. The piano black segment also features an electronic ‘quattro’ badge in front of the passenger. 

The steering wheel is flat-bottomed, with a silver inlay designed to mimic the octagonal front grille. The silver insert on the steering, along with the hexagonal instrument cluster surround, make the steering look more angular than it is. The steering wheel also features the start/stop button and a drive select button to change engine/transmission/suspension modes quickly. The lower centre console features another large screen to control the air-conditioning. The floor-mounted centre console gets a floating gear selector which does not move physically.

LED lights are placed strategically around the cabin to bathe it in a soothing white light at night.

Audi is also highlighting its new driver heads-up display which relies on augmented reality display techniques to make driving easier. The navigation system, for example, can highlight road signs and other details to point the driver in the right direction while navigating to a new destination. The new 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument cluster has a high display resolution and intelligently changes the information displayed depending on driver inputs.

The Q8 seats four people in absolute comfort in individual sport seats. The rear seat passengers also get a large touchscreen controller of their own to set the seat position and adjust the climate control. The Q8 sport also boasts of a 630-litre luggage compartment. 

The Q8 sport's powertrain is also a highlight. A 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged TFSI V6 motor developing 450PS of maximum power is supplemented with a mild-hybrid system (mHEV) and an electric compressor to improve performance as well as efficiency. While the SQ7 uses a similar system, its main powerplant is a diesel motor. On the other hand, the Q8 sport concept is the first time Audi has paired the mHEV and electric compressor to a petrol motor.

The mHEV consists of a starter generator placed in between the crankshaft and transmission and a 48-volt battery. This provides a peak power output of 27PS and peak torque output of 170Nm. When the battery is fully charged, the motor can propel the Q8 sport by itself without using the V6 at low speed conditions, say while parking or during slow city commutes. The motor can also supplement the petrol motor for an extra boost in performance if required, or quickly charge the 48-volt battery to help the auto start/stop system.

The electric-compressor fills the gaps in boost which the exhaust-gas driven twin-turbochargers suffer. It can rev up to 70,000rpm in less than 250 milliseconds to provide enough boost to help the engine at lower speeds or under high-load situations - this results in instantaneous acceleration and also reduces the strain on the V6. 

Everything combined, the Audi Q8 sport develops 476PS of maximum power and 700Nm of peak torque. The SUV can propel itself from 0-100kmph in 4.7 seconds and go on to hit 275kmph. Thanks to the mHEV and electric-compressor helping the motor, the Q8 sports can also return around 14kmpl ideally, with a total range of around 1200km! Audi claims the Q8 sport can deliver the performance which equates to an eight-cylinder engine while being as efficient as a four-cylinder motor.

Power is sent through an 8-speed automatic transmission to all wheels via the company's signature quattro intelligent all-wheel drive system. The SUVs drive systems can also adapt to upcoming road conditions based on the route selected on the navigation system and Audi's Car-to-X autonomous solutions for better efficiency.  

The Q8 sport rides on adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, with both the axles using a five-link setup for better ride characteristics. The ground clearance can be raised by as much as 90mm, claims Audi. 20-inch disc brakes all around provide the required deceleration, with a host of safety systems providing backup.

Audi is set to reveal the production version of the Q8 by 2018. It will be the SUV alternative to the A8 and go up against ultra-luxurious SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga, the upcoming Lamborghini Urus, Maserati Levante etc.

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