Audi Q8 Concept Coupe

The X6 and GLE Coupe rival is a bold step into the unknown for the German manufacturer. And while this exact design won’t see production, Audi has already confirmed that this show star will be “the basis for a production model”.

The new Audi SQ5 uses the brand’s V6 TFSI petrol engine, which also puts out 500Nm of torque and propels the auto through 62mh from rest in 5.4 seconds. The definitive feature of the front end is the octagonal Singleframe with honeycomb insert.

That’s where the Q8 concept auto, with its million-pixel Matrix Laser headlights, comes in. Though 5.6-feet tall, the sloping rear roofline picks up hints of Audi coupes. Standard Audi side assist provides blind spot monitoring via LED indicators on the exterior mirror housing and includes rear cross traffic assist, which supports the driver when reversing out of perpendicular space, and pre sense rear which helps monitor the traffic following the vehicle. The more unusual features, such as the touch-sensitive door handles, will be dropped. Aluminum sills are echoed by more aluminum around the tail lamps, though there’s also high-gloss Carbon Atlas on the diffuser. Additionally, the Q8 has a 630-litre boot – 80 litres bigger than that of a Range Rover.

Audi lists a rear sport differential as an option which sends more torque to the outside wheel during cornering, enhancing agility. Nappa and Nubuk leather is used in SUV-impractical pastel silver, while the headrests get a “structured textile” cover.

Of course, the Audi Q8 will have an expanded version of the Virtual Cockpit, which is accompanied by an augmented reality head-up display. Important information about the SUV and the outside world is displayed either on a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster or on a heads-up display. New engines for the Audi S5 offer powerful performance, with 190 hp in the 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI, and 354 hp in the 3.0 TFSI. It partners with an electric motor that generates 100 kilowatts of power and 330 Nm (243.4 pounds-feet) of torque. The latter torque figure comes in at an incredibly low 1,370 rpm, which will allow the SQ5 to get from 0-60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds.

In terms of emissions and mileage following European NEDC standards, it consumes 2.3 liters of fuel per 100 km/62.1 miles for the equivalent of 102.3 in USA mpg. Total range on a full tank of gas and a full charge is said to be 621 miles (1,000 km).

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive supports dynamic driving behavior in combination with the smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic. It will be the second plug-in electrified Audi to enter the USA market, following the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid station wagon. It uses production-style lightweight 5-link chassis elements coupled with a full adaptive air suspension system that can vary ride quality as well as increase ground clearance by 3.5 inches.