Audi RS Q8: Elephant ballerina

I had the chance to spend 6 days in the company of the Audi RS Q8 , so this is the opportunity to tell you a little about it. What should we remember from this vehicle, all of the numbers of which make you dizzy?

And then .. after having tested the Audi R8 last summer , this year we add the letters S&Q.

What is the RS Q8? This is the very sporty version that appeared in January 2020 of the Audi Q8, the luxury SUV coupe of the brand itself launched in 2018. Between these two models we find the S Q8, diesel 435 horsepower.

The numbers the numbers.

Let's start with factual things about the RS Q8 and therefore its characteristics !

It is equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbo gasoline V8 engine of 600 horsepower (normal, why do less), it weighs the weight of two dead donkeys, ie 2390 kilos and develops up to 800nm ​​of torque. All this with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

Despite its weight and thanks to its enormous engine, it slows down from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds which .. reading again still amazes me. And of course the RS Q8 is quattro .

Thanks (because?) To the inconsistency of the Crit'Air system and a light 48V hybridization, the RS Q8 is .. Crit'Air 1 . While it has combined CO2 emissions of 316–318 g / km (WLTP cycle). We will talk about consumption again shortly after.

To supply the whole thing , a gargantuan 85-liter tank will allow you to finance the operating costs of a Total station in a full tank .

All this gives on board a 605-liter trunk (extendable to 1,755 thanks to the folding rear seat:

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The beautiful baby is a chouilla of 5 meters in length since he is 4991 mm and 2 meters wide. To park er… you have to be careful since it has 22 inch rims as standard with an option for .. 23.

Big family

The RS Q8 has quite a few cousins: it comes from a common technological platform of the Volkswagen group called MLBevo which stands for Modular Longitudinal Matrix . But rest assured all vehicles have their particularity, this platform has the advantage of rationalizing costs and production but allows varieties of bodywork, size & engine.

Based on this MLBevo, we therefore find on the SUV side the Q7 / SQ7 / Q5 / SQ5 / e-Tron / e-Tron Sportback / Bentayga / Urus / Cayenne / Cayenne Coupé / Touareg and on the sedan side the A8 / A8L / A7 Sportback / A6 / A6L / S6 / A4 / S4 / RS4 / A4L / in short, a lot of models!

Urus, blood brother

In fact, the vehicle that shares the most things with the RS Q8 is the Lamborghini Urus . The Italo-Germanic SUV (yes suddenly…) has 50 more horsepower than the RS Q8, shoots 0 to 100 in 0.2 seconds less… in short it was surely necessary to invent a difference other than the price.

In small differences too, the Urus is basically displayed as being able to reach a speed of 305 km / h while on the RS Q8 this is possible but optional. There is also a video on Youtube where the car reaches 303 km / h in Germany:

A few euros separate them nevertheless, the Urus costs more than 200,000 euros when the RS Q8 starts at 159,900 euros . To which we must add the options, the penalty .. all that all that.

The dancer with the 4 rings

I would have liked to name this part “the star dancer” but the star being the sign of Mercedes .. we adapt.

The RS Q8 is placed under the following names that could be seen as incompatible: sporty (or even ultra sporty) Coupe SUV . After all, it uses the same engine as the brand's rockets, namely the RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback, which I recently tested on the circuit. The RS Q8 is heavier than these two sedans .. but in the end the difference is not that big because they each weigh more than two tons.

This does not invalidate my title of Elephant Ballerina: the RS Q8 is surprisingly dynamic . Indeed I would not necessarily have thought to take turns, roundabouts with so much agility and serenity with this weight .. “no feather”. But it is not exactly an anvil.

The model I tried was very optional but as standard for sportiness and driving we have :

• Quattro permanent all-wheel drive
• Adaptive Sport air suspension with RS settings
• Four-wheel steering
• Electromechanical roll stabilizer
• RS Mode button on the steering wheel to switch between the two RS1 and RS2 modes

 

What does it mean? With the combination of the quattro system, the car is able to distribute the power to each wheel to handle the different grip situations. The steered wheels are a guarantee of rather surprising maneuverability, which helps at low speed to make maneuvers & provides very good general dynamics. The roll stabilizer provides astonishing stability. He deserves his RS badge.

With Audi Drive Select , you choose the driving mode that will influence the parameters of the whole car:

As you can see at the bottom right of the picture, you can manually raise or lower the car knowing that for example Offroad mode will raise it while the RS modes lower it thanks to the Adaptive Sport Air Suspension “RS” .

In short, with Efficiency mode, the gearbox switches to a very conservative mode and tries to consume as little gas as possible, the car is calm. In the RS modes, the sound of the exhaust changes and the V8 (which can also be heard very well at startup) takes on another dimension. The rather hoarse sound did not displease me.

When it comes to stopping this tank, the model I tried had the expensive ceramic disc brakes ... which save the vehicle a few pounds and contribute to very precise and reassuring braking . So much the better considering the weight (and the price of the option).

You will understand that I liked the driving of the RS Q8 which - even if it does not have the rigidity and the low center of gravity of its sedan siblings - is really impressive . I, who am passionate about innovation & technology, am only amazed at the integration & the symphony in which it all works.

But who says huge engine, disproportionate weight also says .. consumption .

Not economical and not at all ecological

The RS Q8 - as bluffing as it is - still seems to me to go against the current world where we realize that we must pay more attention to our planet and in particular our consumption of finite resources (oil) and emissions of CO2 which contribute to the warming of our planet.

On these two points, the shoe pin: I did not manage to consume less than 12 liters / 100 despite a fairly reasonable driving (with a lot of motorway, almost entirely at the governor and respecting the speeds). And while it's extremely fun to drive, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. So yes, it is a very correct consumption for a V8 we agree. All this gives a range of between 500 and 650 km depending on how you ride.

And yes, it's Crit'Air 1 , uses the 48-volt mild hybrid system (and a 10 Ah lithium-ion battery) and a belt-driven alternator. This system comes to assist the big baby: in certain situations the engine cuts out altogether, the car goes into freewheel. The management of the V8 even makes it possible to run on 4 cylinders.

Once again a whole bunch of feats of integration & technology as all this happens with a fluidity that you have to live to understand it . But SUVs are more and more in the sights of different organizations for being too big, complicating visibility ... so imagine “this” SUV.

Anyway, if you buy an RS Q8, maybe consider planting .. 2000 trees? ????

His style? Hide your game

It's very subjective, but I find the RS Q8 magnificent . But once at the wheel I find it a little too big.

The line is very dynamic and the use of huge rims / tires means that through the design, we hardly suspect its size in the photo . I parked it next to a Duster .. it made me laugh a bit.

At the front, a gigantic grille in one piece, the Audi logo on the rings and the RS Q8 text are optional black here, which makes them discreet and accentuates the impact of the grille:

The design of the air intakes is different from the little brother Q8, they are larger. Speaking of air, having done this test in July, the RS Q8 tends to ventilate a lot after being used.

Another peculiarity of the design at the rear of the RS Q8 we see a spoiler with a slightly different design, air intakes under the left and right rear headlights, oval exhausts (they are rectangular on the Q8) and the rear grille. we also see the wider wheel arches and the rear grille is honeycomb.

 

Comfort and life on board

On the driver's side, we are greeted by an electrically adjustable three-spoke steering wheel with the RS logo, the paddles controlling the Tiptronic gearbox. There is also something to control the active cruise control and all other comodos. As an option here alcantara, very pleasant to the touch as it is a really soft material.

And then we have Audi's Virtual Cockpit , which takes the form of a gigantic screen instead of the old traditional speedometers. The Virtual Cockpit has been around for several years at Audi and evolves in a quiet and subtle way. Here on the RS models we have a different type of display which will highlight the gear engaged, the gearbox mode etc.

There are also some RS (or Q) specific settings and parameters in the menus:

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On the central console, two screens are superimposed, the one which allows the management of the GPS, the multimedia is within easy reach and the one below is rather dedicated to the management of the air conditioning, the seats and the handwritten entry:

The car retains physical settings for things where it is necessary to be able to adjust quickly .. in two ways: the multiple buttons on the steering wheel, rather well arranged and a few buttons located near the screens such as for example the sound volume management, placed on the passenger side. It is ergonomic and presents no other surprise than being correctly thought out.

The model I tried had the head-up display, which is still handy.

Regarding electronics and aids, we are on the very high end with .. it's stupidly simple .. but: CarPlay and Android Auto which allows you to enjoy applications like Waze .. on the big screen of the car.

All around the car, cameras (front / rear and in the mirrors) and sensors give you help when it comes to maneuvering the RS Q8. The visibility is not particularly bad but with the enormous hood, the large rims .. we do not say no to the assistance with in particular the reversing radars, the 360 ​​degree display ..

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The upholstery is impeccable and topstitched - here - in red, which matches the interior lighting, the colors of which can be chosen:

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The electric, memory, heated and ventilated front seats have lumbar adjustment. We are .. well installed. The model tested had carbon everywhere:

On the rear passenger side, the seats are manually adjustable and foldable.

My few passengers were enthusiastic about the space available (nickel for 2 adults and a child) for the legs.

Do we feel good on board then? Yes very well . The RS Q8 is a sort of Audi A8 very high on the leg (good a little less comfort especially the suspensions but not so far) which gives a very pleasant feeling of security and tranquility, increased by its impeccable sound insulation.

Standard and optional equipment of the model tested

• HD Matrix LED floodlights with dynamic light scene and sequential turn signals
• LED taillights
• High pressure headlamp washers
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Locking wheel nuts with nut loosening indicator
• 295/40 ZR22 112Y xl tires
• Privacy glazing (darkened windows)
• Acoustic glazing for door and side windows
• Sport-contoured leather steering wheel in 3-spoke design with multifunction Plus, flattened at the bottom
• Front seat ventilation
• Heated front seats
• 4-way lumbar support for the front seats
• Electrically adjustable front seats with memory function
• Door sill moldings with aluminum inserts, front and rear, illuminated, with “RS Q8” lettering
• Electrically adjustable steering wheel
• Electric exterior mirrors with defrost, folding, automatic day night functions, integrated LED indicators
• Air quality pack
• 4-zone automatic comfort air conditioning
• Tailgate with automatic opening
• Comfort key including sensor unlocking of the boot and electric boot cover (with safelock)
• Trunk separation net
• Audi virtual cockpit
• MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch response
• Audi music interface in the passenger compartment
• Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System avec son 3D
• Digital radio reception
• Audi connect Emergency call & Service with Audi connect Remote & Control
• Audi connect Navigation & Infotainment
• Audi smartphone interface
• LTE support for Audi phone box
• Audi phone box
• Audi pre sense front
• Parking maneuver assistant with park assist system Plus
• Hold-to-stop assistant
• Lane Departure Warning
• Audi Drive Select
• Adaptive Sport Air Suspension “RS”
• Quattro transmission with sport differential (included via RS Dynamic Pack plus)
• All-wheel steering (4-wheel steering)

• Options I had
• Audi pre sense® Rear pack (400 euros)
• RS sports exhaust system (1700 euros)
• Head-up display (1750 euros)
• Road Assistance Pack (2100 euros) including Adaptive Driving Assistant with semi-automatic vehicle control. in the event of a medical emergency Emergency Assist
• Perimeter cameras (850 euros)
• City assistance pack (1500 euros)
• Assisted opening and closing of the doors (soft close) (800 euros)
• DS Red Design Pack (2300 euros)
• Headlining in Black Alcantara (1725 euros)
• Audi logo (rings) and inscriptions lacquered in shiny black (400 euros)
• Electric sunshade for the rear side windows and manual for the rear door windows (375 euros)
• Heated windshield with climatic and acoustic comfort glazing (725 euros)
• Decorative inserts in Matt Carbon Twill (1200 euros)
• Floor mats with Audi exclusive RS lettering (825 euros
• Control elements in Alcantara / Audi exclusive leather (1150 euros)

• I did not have :
• the panoramic glass roof

Conclusion

The RS Q8 is a juggernaut with astonishing & explosive agility and power . As I said it is quite anachronistic due to its overpowered engine and high CO2 emissions, I would have a hard time owning such a vehicle if I was not able to offset the emissions (yes it's old green con If you want).

The sportiness, refinement and technology embedded in this car only accentuate my respect for the work of the engineers of the German firm: it is really harmonious. It is difficult to describe well in words both the gentleness with which this RS Q8 is able on the one hand to alternate between its 48V system, its huge motor (which also knows how to be gentle), the integration into the conducting a whole bunch of assists & feedback that we quickly adopt as normal.

Of course, this is not unique to this vehicle and given its price it is a bit normal ...

My remaining question is ... who is the customer base for an RS Q8? The model I tried exceeds 180,000 euros, with such an engine it is a penalty in all directions, insurance which must be prohibitive. It has a power capable of making you lose all your points very quickly while taking several passengers in high comfort.

The answer might be ... people who are looking for something that is almost as good as a Lamborghini Urus, but costs less, are more discreet. It remains a sacred niche ????