• The highly successful Audi Q family has a new flagship
• Stunning design, advanced technology and powerful performance
• Generously appointed, with pricing starting at $128,900 MLP

"The Audi Q8 promises to make an emphatic impact when it arrives in Australia in January," said Shawn Ticehurst, Product Planning and Pricing Director.

"The Q8 is characterised by its bold and contemporary design, both inside and out, and it boasts an incredible level of advanced features. It sets the benchmark for infotainment, connectivity and the superb quality of its cabin, which is all backed up with the kind of performance and efficiency credentials that have made the Audi Q family such a success over more than the last decade.

"The first wave of Q8s are already in very high customer demand, and we're confident that interest will only ramp up when there are more of these stunning vehicles out on the road," said Mr Ticehurst.

The all-new Audi Q8 assumes a powerful and imposing stance, with the large Singleframe grille – and its vertical strakes – the most prominent part of its face. The highlighted LED headlights and the contoured, edgy front spoiler enhances this aggressive front-end.

The roofline slopes elegantly towards the rear, seamlessly through the D-pillar and into the prominent quattro blisters above the rear wheel arches. Frameless doors continue the elegant styling theme. Numerous details echo the design of the Ur-quattro, including the strong contours and athletically tight surfaces – they convey a feeling of power and the dynamism of quattro all-wheel-drive.

Inside, the design is just as breathtaking, with a minimalist black-panel look that sweeps across the dash. When illuminated, all the displays, elements and controls integrate seamlessly with each other, as a sophisticated complement to the outstanding quality of finish throughout the entire cabin.

The two 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch displays – with MMI touch response - interact with the high-resolution 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit to give drivers an extraordinary experience behind the wheel. All the controls and information fall easily to the hand or eye respectively, with the focus on intelligent ergonomics as is expected from Audi.

The Audi Q8 will arrive on the Australian market exclusively with the 55 TFSI engine, to be joined by a 50 TDI powertrain later in 2019.

The 55 TFSI engine is a new 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit that weighs just 172 kilograms. Its exhaust lies inside the 90-degree vee, so the short exhaust gas paths and the twin-scroll turbocharger ensure spontaneous responsiveness. As a result, peak output is 250 kW (at 5500rpm) and 500 Nm (from 2900-5300rpm), which is enough to power the Q8 from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. The B cycle combustion process – an Audi development – ensures superb fuel efficiency of just 9.2 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 210 g/km. The Audi Valvelift system and advanced thermal management further support this efficient delivery of power.

Delivering fuel savings of up to 0.7 litres per 100km, the Q8 also features mild-hybrid technology. It employs a belt alternator starter (BAS) and a compact lithium-ion battery with a 10 Ah electrical capacity, allowing the Q8 to coast at speeds between 55 and 160km/h with the engine off. This new 48-volt system functions as the car's main electrical system and allows power recuperation of up to 12kW plus start-stop operation from 22km/h.

The powertrain is mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, delivering power to all four wheels via the standard quattro drivetrain with centre differential. In normal driving circumstances, power is split to the front and rear 40:60 respectively, with up to 70 percent to the front and 85 percent to the rear as needed, during dynamic driving conditions.

A five-link suspension arrangement is employed at both the front and rear of the Q8, together with electronically controlled adaptive damper control to alter the characteristics of the car to the driving situation. Adaptive air suspension is available as an option, as is dynamic all-wheel steering for enhanced manoeuvrability.

Safety is assured in the all-new Audi Q8, including no fewer than 39 driver assistance systems to provide both active and passive safety protection for occupants. Some highlights include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive drive assist (adaptive cruise control with stop & go, with traffic jam assist), lane departure warning, pre-sense front and rear, lane change warning, cross traffic assist rear, Head-up display and 360 degree cameras, including kerb view for easy manoeuvring.

The all-new Audi Q8 is offered in the Australian market with a simple offer structure, with the vast majority of available items included as standard. Some highlights include:

• S line exterior package, with 21-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights with high beam assist
• Adaptive suspension with damper control
• Electric opening/closing tailgate
• MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch response and Audi virtual cockpit
• Audi connect, smartphone interface and wireless charging
• DAB+ digital radio
• Audi sound system (10 speakers, 6ch amplifier, 180w)
• Audi music interface with 2x rear USB outlets
• Electrically adjustable/foldable exterior mirrors, with heating and memory
• Electrically adjustable seats in Valcona leather, with 4-way lumbar support
• Front seat ventilation and heating
• Sliding rear bench seat with 40:20:40 split fold
• Convenience key

In addition to this extensive list, the $11,000 Premium plus package includes 22-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive air suspension, HD Matrix LED headlights, Privacy glass, Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, 4-zone air conditioning with rear touch control panel and the colour interior lighting package. An optional Full leather package, with a suite of additional items in fine Nappa leather is also available for $8,900.

The all-new Audi Q8 goes on-sale in Australia in late January, but is available to order now.

Pricing
*(Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)

– ENDS –

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).
In 2017, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.878 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,815 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 55,900 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2017 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €60.1 billion and an operating profit of €5.1 billion. At present, approximately 90,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.