This is the Audi Q8 Sport Concept, a mild hybrid sporty SUV and the second Q8 concept after the original’s debut at the last Detroit Motor Show.
Audi has pulled the wraps off their new SUV concept at the Geneva Motor Show, with the concept itself being powered by a mild hybrid powertrain that produces 469hp (476PS) and 516lb-ft (700Nm) of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 170mph (275km/h).
The hybrid powertrain is new and combines a 443hp 3.0-litre V6 TFSI with a 27hp (20kW) electric motor while a 48-volt electrical system is responsible for keeping the electricity flowing.
A small lithium-ion battery pack, mounted under the luggage compartment, can provide enough power to move the car in stop-start traffic as well as allowing for maneuvering and parking under electric power alone. The overall driving range is up to 746 miles (1,200km) with a 85-litre fuel tank.
The real party trick though is the electric compressor Audi has added to the twin-turbo V6, a feature that debuted in the SQ7 diesel and provides an extra kick to the powertrain’s output, allowing for a lag-free acceleration at all times. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is responsible for transmitting the power to all four wheels.
“The drive system of the Audi Q8 sport concept is a major step towards optimizing efficiency and sustainability in large-volume series production,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi. “The combination of mild hybrid technology and a TFSI engine sets a new benchmark for the synthesis of electromobility and combustion engines.”
In fact, expect to see this mild-hybrid powertrain featured in future Audi models, including the next A6, A7 and A8 as well as in the Q7. The final production version of the Q8 is expected to show up in 2018.
Inside the cabin you can find several digital displays, including a higher-resolution version of the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit and an innovative “contact-analogue” head-up display which projects the necessary info in the driver’s direct field of view on the windscreen, seemingly placing them in the real environment.
The concept rides on huge 23-inch alloys wrapped in 305/35 tires. The Q8 Sport also gets 20-inch(!) ceramic disc brakes while there are five levels of ground clearance with 90‑millimeter (3.5 in) height differences.
Post has been updated with live images from Geneva
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