Audi Q8

The 2025 Audi Q8 in India is primarily offered with a 3.0-litre TFSI (Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection) V6 petrol engine, equipped with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This engine produces 335 bhp (340 PS) of power and 500 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. This setup allows the Q8 to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in a quick 5.6 seconds, with an electronically governed top speed of 250 kmph. The mild-hybrid system aids in fuel efficiency and provides smooth start-stop functionality.

The high-performance 2025 Audi RS Q8 facelift, launched in India, features a potent 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. This powerhouse churns out 640 hp (640 PS) and 850 Nm of torque, enabling a blistering 0-100 kmph acceleration in just 3.6 seconds. The RS Q8 also uses an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox and Quattro AWD. It boasts a top speed of 250 kmph (electronically limited), which can be increased to 305 kmph with the optional RS dynamic package. The V8 engine delivers immediate throttle response, a brawny exhaust note, and sledgehammer-like power delivery, making it an incredibly exhilarating SUV to drive. Fuel efficiency for the standard Q8 is around 10 kmpl (ARAI), while the RS Q8 is around 8 kmpl (ARAI).

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Audi Q8 is engineered to deliver a balanced, solid, controlled, precise, and effortless ride and handling experience. The standard Q8 comes with a balanced steel spring suspension and damper control, ensuring a consistent and comfortable driving experience. 

Optional adaptive air suspension (adaptive air suspension or adaptive air suspension sport) allows for a more tailored ride quality, offering a wide range from comfortable cruising to dynamic sportiness.

The electromechanical steering system is optimized for greater ease of use, being light at low speeds for easy maneuvering in urban environments and weighing up appropriately at higher speeds for confidence and stability.

 The optional all-wheel steering system enhances agility at low speeds by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front, reducing the turning radius by up to one meter.

 At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction, improving stability. The Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system ensures optimal traction and grip in various road conditions, contributing to a confident and engaging driving feel. The RS Q8, with its performance-tuned adaptive air suspension and active anti-roll bars, offers even sharper handling and minimal body roll, making it surprisingly agile for its size.

The interior of the 2025 Audi Q8 is a testament to Audi's prowess in crafting luxurious and technologically advanced cabins. The design is clean, minimalist, and driver-focused, dominated by a dual-touchscreen MMI (Multi Media Interface) setup. High-quality materials such as premium leather, Alcantara, wood, and aluminum accents are used throughout, ensuring a sophisticated and opulent ambiance.

The cabin offers comfortable seating for five occupants, with ample head, shoulder, and legroom in both rows. The rear seats can slide back and forth and split 40:20:40, offering versatility for passenger comfort and cargo space. 

Key features include a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit (digital instrument cluster) that provides customizable displays for driving information, navigation, and multimedia. The dual-screen MMI setup comprises a 10.1-inch upper screen for infotainment and navigation, and an 8.6-inch lower screen dedicated to climate control and convenience functions.

 Both screens feature MMI touch response with haptic and acoustic feedback, providing a satisfying tactile experience. Creature comforts include four-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, power-latching soft-close doors, and a Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system (optional). Boot space is a generous 605 litres.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the 2025 Audi Q8 is a highlight, featuring Audi's advanced MMI touch response system. The dual-screen setup is intuitive and visually appealing, offering a seamless digital experience. The upper 10.1-inch touchscreen primarily handles navigation, media, and phone functions, while the lower 8.6-inch screen is dedicated to climate control, seat heating/ventilation, and other convenience features.

Both screens provide haptic and acoustic feedback, mimicking the feel of physical buttons and allowing for operation without constantly looking at the screen. The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit serves as the digital instrument cluster, offering various customizable views, including full-screen navigation.

 The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Audi's voice dialogue system allows for natural language voice commands to control various vehicle functions. A premium Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system with 17 speakers and 730W output (optional) delivers an immersive 3D sound experience, further enhanced by Audi's aero-acoustics for minimal wind noise.

The exterior design of the 2025 Audi Q8 maintains its distinctive coupe-SUV silhouette, characterized by a sloping roofline that merges seamlessly into a powerful rear. The front features a large, octagonal Singleframe grille, which is more assertive in the RS Q8 with a honeycomb pattern and larger air intakes. 

Sharp HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light (optional) enhance visibility and add to its commanding presence, especially in the RS Q8, which also offers customizable OLED taillights with four digital light signatures.

The Q8's muscular wheel arches house large alloy wheels, typically 21-inch for the standard Q8 and up to 23-inch for the RS Q8, contributing to its sporty stance. The rear design is equally striking, with a light strip connecting the taillights, a prominent diffuser, and in the RS Q8, C-shaped air outlets and large oval exhaust tips.

 Dimensions for the Q8 are approximately 4995 mm in length, 1995 mm in width, and 1705 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2995 mm. The RS Q8 is slightly longer at 5022 mm and wider at 2007 mm. Ground clearance for the standard Q8 is not explicitly stated but is generally good for an SUV, while the RS Q8 has a ground clearance of 220 mm.

Safety is a core tenet of the 2025 Audi Q8, which is engineered to provide a high level of protection for its occupants. It has received commendable safety ratings from international organizations, including a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

The Q8 is equipped with a comprehensive array of passive safety features, including multiple airbags (driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags). Active safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Hill Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). 

It also boasts an extensive suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. Optional all-wheel steering further enhances safety and maneuverability.

The 2025 Audi Q8 operates in the highly competitive luxury SUV segment in India, facing off against a strong lineup of rivals.

The standard Audi Q8 primarily competes with luxury SUVs like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Volvo XC90. These vehicles offer a similar blend of luxury, technology, and performance, with each brand having its unique strengths. The Q8 differentiates itself with its distinctive coupe-like styling, advanced dual-touchscreen infotainment, and Audi's signature Quattro AWD system.

The high-performance 2025 Audi RS Q8 facelift, on the other hand, enters a more exclusive arena, directly challenging ultra-performance SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, and BMW XM. While the Urus offers extreme supercar performance, and the Cayenne Turbo GT focuses on track prowess, the RS Q8 aims to provide a compelling balance of immense power, luxurious comfort, and everyday usability. 

It also competes with high-end variants of the Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe and the Lexus LX. The RS Q8's unique blend of raw power, sophisticated technology, and Audi's renowned build quality makes it a formidable contender in this elite segment.

The 2025 Audi Q8 lineup, encompassing both the standard model and the high-performance RS Q8 facelift, presents a compelling proposition in the Indian luxury SUV market. The standard Q8 offers a stylish, comfortable, and technologically advanced package suitable for discerning buyers who prioritize design and everyday usability. 

The RS Q8, with its significantly more powerful V8 engine and enhanced dynamics, caters to enthusiasts seeking supercar-level performance in an SUV body.

Both variants benefit from Audi's commitment to "Vorsprung durch Technik," featuring intuitive dual-touchscreen infotainment, comprehensive safety systems, and a refined driving experience. 

While the Q8's premium pricing reflects its CBU import status, it justifies the cost with its exquisite craftsmanship, advanced features, and strong brand appeal. For those in India seeking a luxurious, high-performance SUV that stands out with its distinctive design and cutting-edge technology, the 2025 Audi Q8 range offers a highly desirable and capable choice.