MOTORS REVIEW: Audi Q8

TOM SHARPE gets on the road with Audi’s new premium offering

IF you’re ever travelling from South Yorkshire to Bridgend via Ascot over a couple of very icy winter days a combination of premium polish and steadfast four-wheel-drive traction is a bonus.

Quite who was shouting out for a sleeker, more dynamic Audi SUV I’m not sure, but after completing the 500+ mile triangular tour of the UK’s south west recently, I was glad someone had…

Joining the S8 saloon and R8 coupe in Audi’s line-up of flagship models, the Q8 has been designed to combine the elegance of a coupé with the comfort and versatility of a large SUV.

In terms of comfort, it kept me out of chilly filling station forecourts thanks to a whopping 85-litre fuel tank combined with a cruising fuel economy of almost 40mpg.

This is impressive for a 2.2 tonne, four-wheel-drive SUV just 66mm shorter (and 35mm lower) than the huge Q7.

That the 286PS three-litre V6 TDI turbodiesel engine can hustle to 62mph in 6.3 seconds is another bonus which goes some way to fulfilling its dynamic billing.

In truth, the Q8 feels every bit the secure, competent companion you would like on a winter drive, rather than an overtly sporty steer.

Though it corners with precision, the chassis never feels adjustable, never shrinks around you or goads you to explore its limits.

What it does do, it does extremely well with no shortage of polish.

The Q8 has striking on-road presence thanks to the brand’s most aggressive design aside from the R8.

Cues from the original Ur Quattro, a huge imposing grille, LED lighting which puts on a show in a dark car park and array of sharp creases and horizon tal lines all combine to dramatic visual effect.

Inside, the best-in-class cabins of the A7 Sportback and S8 are closely echoed.

A dual-screen MMI infotainment system, which comprises a primary 10.2- inch screen above a smaller 8.6-inch unit serves up super sharp graphics and intuitive functionality and keep the dashboard clutter-free.

Trim quality is high and the leather/Alcantara heated seats of the S-line trim car tested here looked the part and provided support in the right places.

That low rear roofline doesn’t compromise rear headroom.

Front or back, it still fulfils the Audi “8” limo brief with aplomb.

Alone on my long journey, though, I relied on the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system (£1,150) for company, the 605-litre boot swallowing my luggage.

On paper, the Q8 is aligned most closely to the Range Rover Velar and BMW X6.

Prices start at just over £64,000, but with a smattering of options, the version tested here came in at £86,686.

With coupe looks, limo-like accommodation, a top interior quality and classleading tech, I think it fulfils Audi’s brief beautifully, however.

Ready for another road trip?

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