Want an Audi Q7 with less room for more money? You need the new Audi Q8

The new Audi Q8 has been revealed as the Q7’s more ‘Stylish’ sibling, complete with coupe roofline and big fat grille. 

Audi has been teasing the arrival of the Q8 for quite some time as it seeks to plant a new range-topping model at the top of its SUV range. And here it is – the new Audi Q8.

What you get, no doubt for more money than you’d pay for an Audi Q7, is an Audi aimed clearly at the BMW X6 with less room than the Q7 and a thumping great grille at the front. It’s not a pretty car. But then nor is the BMW X6. But it makes the Q7 look almost stylish.

The Q8 is a Q7 under the skin, but it’s shorter – just five seats on offer – and a bit wider, which does make it look a bit more of a square lump. Although a square lump with a sloping roof.

Despite building up to the Q8’s debut, all Audi can muster to put under the bonnet is a 3.0 litre diesel  – the Q8 50 TDI – with 282bhp and 443lb/ft of torque.

It comes with quattro four-wheel drive and an eight-speed auto and gets to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and a mild hybrid setup to help economy and emissions. But is a diesel engine the right launch engine for a big ‘Lifestyle’ SUV in 2018 – especially from a VW brand?

Audi say we can look forward to a less powerful diesel Q8 next year – the 45 TDI – and a more powerful petrol in the 55 TFSI. No doubt we’ll also see an RS Q8 at some point too. After all, if people are going to buy a Q8 they’ll probably fork out some silly money for an RS version.

Inside the Q8 it’s big new Audi central with a pair of touchscreens and Audi’s (very good) Virtual Cockpit instruments.

Audi say the new Q8 will go on sale in the UK in the Summer.