That twin-turbo V8 sounds sublime.
New spy footage taken at the Nurburgring in Germany shows Audi is hard at work testing a facelifted RS Q8 prototype.
Clad in a modest amount of camouflage, the big Audi defies physics as it races around the complex circuit at great speeds. Surprisingly for a car of this heft, the hardcore SUV has minimal body roll as it makes its way through corners, that twin-turbo V8 making short work of long straights.
Speaking of the motor, it sounds absolutely glorious, the eight-cylinder emitting a fantastic rumble, matched only in loudness by the tortured squeals of the wide tires. As the RS Q8 is mechanically related to the Lamborghini Urus, it would be safe to assume the refreshed Audi will also receive the electrified V8 coming to its Italian cousin next year.
Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed the Urus will adopt a plug-in hybrid setup from 2024. As Audi is committed to electrifying its vehicles – and has plans to be all-electric by 2026 – we don't see any reason why the RS Q8 wouldn't adopt this uprated V8.
As a reminder, the current RS Q8 produces 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. As you would expect, the Urus is even more powerful, with 641 hp and 627 lb-ft. Electrifying the engine will bring greater power figures, so we anticipate that Audi will boost figures for the RS Q8. As per the video, it is claimed to produce around 600 horses, which is a decent step up.
Let's not forget that BMW's controversial XM will likely steal sales from the RS Q8, so power upgrades will be essential if Audi wants to keep its range-topping SUV appealing.
In terms of styling, the overall design of the RS Q8 remains unchanged. However, we can see slimmer headlights and what appears to be a redesigned front bumper. We're not sure if it's the camouflage creating this illusion, but it appears the grille is slightly wider than before.
At the rear, we expect the taillights and bumper to benefit from a subtle refresh. We've also spied the regular Q8 testing with similar changes too. As for the interior, we're yet to see any close-up shots of the RS Q8's cabin, but we can expect even more tech and luxury than before. Interestingly, Audi has chosen not to replace the second-generation Q7, opting for a second facelift for this model.
As the Q7 and Q8 are closely related, the changes should be shared between the two vehicles. Perhaps the newly-renamed Q8 e-tron models will lend these ICE-powered SUVs some design inspiration.
Keyword: New Audi RS Q8 Prototype Spied Testing At Nurburgring