We happen to think the Audi RS Q8 is one of the best-looking SUVs currently on the market, but are its talents more than skin deep? Doug DeMuro is here to answer that question.
Much like the Lamborghini Urus, which is the VW Group’s sportiest super SUV, the RS Q8 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. While it would be nice to see more variety in the performance-focused range of engines that the German group offers to its various brands, engine sharing is common nowadays.
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In the Urus, this engine is good for 641 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque, while in the Audi, which starts at $113,000 in the U.S., it is rated at 591 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm). Sure, that is less than its Italian sibling but more than enough for an SUV. Additionally, unlike the Lamborghini, the RS Q8’s engine works alongside a 48-volt electrical system that makes it a mild hybrid capable of shutting off the engine and coasting.
The interior of the RS Q8 has a really attractive design and comes with heaps of angular surfaces and sharp edges. Key features include a digital instrument cluster, a large infotainment screen and a secondary touchscreen that is used to control the HVAC system. Unfortunately, the dashboard of the SUV is dominated by piano black trim, making it an absolute fingerprint magnet.