After the successful launch of the new Q8 in India last year, it’s now the turn of its amped-up sibling. The new RS Q8, a product of Audi Sport GmbH, is slated for launch in India around February 17, 2025. Among other midsize luxury crossovers, like the Porsche Cayenne GTS and Lamborghini Urus, the RS Q8 seems like an underdog.
Despite that, the new Audi RS Q8 is based on the same Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform as those cars. Understandably, it shares plenty of its basic underpinning and design with the regular Q8. Audi India is hoping to attract a chunk of buyers who are eyeing the Urus but can’t or don’t want to get one.
Expected Price of the New Audi RS Q8
One reason to avoid a Lamborghini Urus has to do with its eye-watering base price of over ₹4.1 crores! The other excuses can include personal design and brand preferences. Recent industry reports indicate the base price of the new Audi RS Q8 Performance to be around ₹2-2.2 crores. Internationally, there are two variants – RS Q8 and RS Q8 Performance.
Engine Specifications and Performance
Sitting in the upper echelons of Audi’s RS lineup, the new RS Q8 is packing some serious heat. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces a minimum of 592 hp and 800 Nm of torque. The RS Q8 Performance boosts those figures to 631 hp and 850 Nm. Moreover, this is Audi’s most powerful series-produced combustion eight-cylinder engine.
The new RS Q8 combines an 8-speed automatic transmission with permanent quattro all-wheel drive. The system can direct up to 85 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels and up to 70 percent to the front wheels. A 48-volt electromechanical active roll stabilization (eAWS) system powered by two electric motors keeps the SUV flat in the corners.
Audi electronically limits the base RS Q8 to a top speed of 250 kmph. However, Audi will raise the top speed of the RS Q8 Performance to 280 kmph or even 305 kmph. This variant can scoot from 0-100 kmph in 3.6 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the base RS Q8. Aiding manoeuvrability is a rear-axle steering system.
The oval tailpipes of the RS Q8 look not only cool, but the optional RS sport exhaust system means they sound good too. Unfortunately, a rev-limiter means that you can only enjoy those sounds when in motion – that’s a bummer. However, the optional RS ceramic brakes use 440 mm front discs and 370 mm rear discs with potent stopping power!
Exterior Design of the New Audi RS Q8
The general shape of the RS Q8 is identical to the standard Q8 – i.e., it looks nice and expensive. For 2025, the Audi RS Q8 gets a revised Singleframe grille with a three-dimensional honeycomb pattern that clearly defines this front-end. The sporty front fascia further incorporates aggressively-styled air intakes and a new front apron – all finished in high-gloss black.
The gorgeous oval tailpipes get matte black surrounds, with the lower rear bumper sporting a pseudo diffuser. There are designer vents on the top portion of the rear bumper and high-gloss black trim on the tailgate and diffuser. The Audi logos and ‘RS Q8’ badges are also finished in black. Both RS Q8 variants come with 22-inch wheels as standard.
The matte grey finish on its ORVMs, rear diffuser, and front grille & spoiler distinguishes the RS Q8 Performance. Buyers can also option it with specially-forged 23-inch light-alloy wheels. The optional wheels are available in matte black, metallic black, or matte grey colours. Customers can even opt for sporty red brake callipers with ‘RS’ lettering.
The new Audi RS Q8 comes in three new metallic colours: Ascari Blue, Chili Red, and Sakhir Gold. Then there are the digital OLED taillights with their five distinctive light signatures, and they look splendid! Similarly, the magnificent Audi laser light system with the HD Matrix LED headlights and digital LED DRLs are real showstoppers!
Cabin Comfort and Interior Features of the New Audi RS Q8
The cabin of the new RS Q8 is typical Audi in its execution – modern and well-made, sophisticated yet sporty. The perforated two-tone sports seats have a honeycomb pattern, along with prominent ‘RS’ lettering and red stitching. The rest of the RS Q8’s cabin bears brushed aluminium, silver embossing, alcantara, plus piano black and microfiber inlays.
The alcantara-wrapped stitched steering wheel feels nice and sporty to hold, and it gets flappy paddles as well. The 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit display has RS-specific graphics and a flashing animation when it’s time to shift gears. A 10-inch touchscreen handles primary infotainment functions while a smaller 8.6-inch touchscreen handles the car’s HVAC system.
Its other features include a B&O 3D sound system, four-zone climate control, ventilated seats, wireless charging, and a panoramic sunroof. These are accompanied by adaptive air suspension, launch control, LED interior lighting, a powered tailgate, plus voice & handwriting recognition. The RS Q8 also gets 8 airbags, 360-degree cameras, electronic stability programme, emergency braking, a head-up display, and adaptive high-beam.
Conclusion
Customers interested in the new Audi RS Q8 Performance can place their bookings by paying a token amount of ₹5 lakhs. You can do this either via Audi India’s official website or through the ‘myAudi connect’ app on your smart device. While the range-topping Performance variant is coming, the base RS Q8 may not.
FAQs
What is the price of Audi RS Q8 in India?
The new Audi RS Q8 is expected to cost around ₹2–2.2 crores in India.
What is the top speed of Audi RS Q8?
The top speed of the new Audi RS Q8 Performance is 305 kmph.
What engine is in the Audi RS Q8?
The new Audi RS Q8 Performance is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 631 hp and 850 Nm.