Originally unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show and packing the same twin-turbo V8 engine as the RS 6 and RS 7, the Audi RS Q8 is now going under the knife. The super crossover has been spied testing in a premiere at the Nurburgring, revealing the same overall design, albeit with a few tweaks.
To anyone who's not familiar with the styling, the 2024 Audi RS Q8 will fly under the radar. In fact, you'll need a side-by-side comparison with the outgoing one to spot the differences, as these are minor. However, that does make sense because the four-ring brand is looking to give it a small refresh without ruining the looks.
Up front, we can see a new bumper with the central air intake and the side vents mixing together into a single element. The grille has a new pattern and will likely be decorated by the Ingolstadt brand's new logo, and a pair of new headlamps should flank it. Don't mind the camouflage on the sides, as it probably doesn't hide any changes beneath it. At the back, we can expect a new bumper and diffuser combo, new taillights, and probably different dual oval exhaust tips.
For now, the wheels are identical to those offered on the current RS Q8, but when the facelifted iteration debuts, it should feature new sets. We could also be looking at a slightly revised color palette. On the inside, chances are the upgrades will revolve around the central screen in the middle of the dashboard. You should ignore the roll cage and racing seats partially visible through the windows of the scooped prototype, as they are there to keep the driver safe in case things go south.
It is too early to speak about a potential power boost, and between us, we think it will retain the current car's output and torque. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine produces 592 hp (600 ps/441 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, delivered to the quattro all-wheel drive system through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This recipe enables the 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) sprint in just 3.8 seconds, three-tenths slower than the Lamborghini Urus S, which enjoys 657 hp (666 ps/490 kW), and the vehicle can keep going up to 155 miles per hour (250 kph).
We can expect a small price bump when it goes on sale in the United States, presumably as a 2024 model. The current RS Q8 has an MSRP of $125,800, whereas the SQ8 kicks off at $95,500. The most affordable model of the series can be ordered from $72,800. The unveiling date hasn't been decided yet, but it will probably debut before the year's end or in early 2024.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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