Audi Pits Sleek SQ8 Against Porsche Macan During Testing

Audi isn’t just developing the entry-level Q8 in isolation. As our spy photographers have discovered, the German marque is also testing prototypes of the more performance-oriented SQ8.

Pictured here running around the snow alongside a Porsche Macan, this SQ8 prototype looks just as sleek as previous Q8 testers we’ve snapped on the streets. Due to the presence of the camouflage, it is somewhat difficult to notice the styling changes between the SQ8 and the Q8. With that being said, a set of quad tailpipes signifies the vehicle’s sporty focus.

The Audi SQ8 was previewed in the form of the Q8 Sport Concept at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. For the most part, the road-going variant seems largely unchanged from a styling perspective. However, when the camo is removed, we do expect some minor tweaks, such as slightly smaller air intakes and less complex headlights.

Sitting beneath the hood of the concept was a petrol-electric powertrain delivering 470 hp. We believe this powertrain will be largely unchanged for the production car. As such, customers can expect to see a 3.0-liter TFSI six-cylinder V6 delivering roughly 444 hp that’s mated to a small electric motor. Further down the road, a diesel variant with the same 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 of the SQ7 is possible.

A public debut for the SQ8 could arrive before the year is out.

Photo credits: CarPix for CarScoops