Audi Sport is planning more performance crossovers. We told you that much just last month. But now we have an idea of what form the next such RS sport-ute will take.
To hear (or read) Auto Express tell it, Ingolstadt’s performance division is working on an RS Q8 to go up against the likes of the BMW X6 M and Mercedes-AMG GLE63.
“Today we have a product line-up which we are working on which will be expanded in more prestige segments and bodystyles which are sellable around the world,” Audi Sport chief Stephan Winkelmann told AE: “SUVs.”
Visually, we can expect the RS Q8 to follow the lead of the Q8 Sport concept (pictured) that Audi unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show a few months ago, and slot in performance-wise above the anticipated SQ8. But it’ll hardly be Audi Sport’s first crossover, following the smaller RS Q3 we already know.
Nor will it hardly be a huge surprise in either the context of Winkelmann’s track record or the direction in which the industry is heading. In his previous capacity as CEO of Lamborghini, he set the direction that is now leading the Italian marque towards the introduction of the Urus. And given that the Q8 is already set to share the same platform as the Lambo crossover, it could use the same twin-turbo V8 – which in turn could yet prove the same one found in the Porsche Panamera Turbo.
One thing’s for sure, and that’s that it won’t be a diesel like the SQ7 TDI. “Diesel is not compatible with a world car,” said Winkelmann, “there are countries where you cannot sell the diesel.”
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