Audi seems to think it can create a new niche in the full-sized vehicle segment by introducing a vehicle with SUV proportions inside, and almost coupe-like proportions outside. We first heard of the R8 name way back in 2012 when Audi filed a trademark for it, along with other names like R6, S2, S9, and RS1, among others. Since then, the name has been associated with Audi’s dreams of electric architecture and has even been said to be arriving in 2019 – even here in the United States. More recently, however, around July of 2016, we laid eyes on a weird coupe-ish SUV prototype that just had to be the Audi Q8. Well, our suspicions of that prototype have pretty much been confirmed now that Audi has released the teaser photos of the Audi R8 e-Tron Concept that you see here.
Set to debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Audi has said very little about the concept, but it is supposedly near-production ready. If that really is the case, it’s quite likely that we’ll see the prototype testing at least once more over the next year, and the production model will likely debut at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show in preparation for its official release for the 2019 model year. The concept we see here is a preview of a model that will take on the likes of the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
We still have some time before we get to see the real production model, but we’ll be seeing the Concept in the metal in just a couple of weeks. So, in the meantime, let’s take a look at these teaser photos and talk a little more about it.
Continue reading to learn more about the Audi Q8 E-tron Concept.
Exterior
What we’re looking at here is more than just a rendering of the Q8 Concept that previews the Q8 production model. It also provides a glimpse into a post-2020 Audi and the design language that will come with the turn of the decade. The front end shot you see here clearly shows some Audi DNA, but look at how the grille has evolved from what we see on Audi models today. It’s like a continuation of the evolution of the grille seen on the Audi R8. And, that’s a good thing, because Audi’s consistent grille design could use some serious change for the new decade. It’s even refreshing to see the vertical slats backed by opposing mesh in the background. Furthermore, Audi could really do itself some good if it kept with the other design cues we see here as well. The corner vents aren’t overly large while the lip provides enough aggressiveness. The well-defined hood also adds to the overall appearance, and it will be refreshing to see the concept really sport a front end that looks like this.
It’s an interesting concept to look at, and it could be successful in its own right, but we’ll just have to see how the public reacts to it when it makes its official debut in Detroit.
Moving over to the side-view rendering, we see typical Audi design that reminds of none other than the Q5 up top and the Q7 down below. It has the pronounced fender flares of the Q7 to go with the same protrusion from the bottom of the doors and a modified version of the cladding down below. Up top, you can see hints of the Q5 in the side view mirror placement and the rear quarter glass. But, there’s more to it than that. Above the waistline, things get a little awkward. It looks like someone mashed together the Q5 and Q7, then chopped the roof to give it a coupe-like height and look. It seems to ride a little lower to the ground from what we can see here, but those big wheels will likely give it a ride height closer to something like the Mercedes’ All-Terrain models or Audi’s Allroad models. All told, it’s an interesting concept to look at, and it could be successful in its own right, but we’ll just have to see how the public reacts to it when it makes its official debut in Detroit.
Interior
Note: Audi Q7 interior shown here.
At this point, the interior is a complete mystery, but the concept should sport an interior similar to that of the future A8 and the current Q7. The only thing Audi has said about the interior is that it “offers a spacious interior with four equally comfortable seats.” That doesn’t tell us a whole lot, but, it does tell us that it will be a 2+2 layout. Outside of this, I would expect to see a lot of Q7 styling inside. That means it should have a large floating display atop the low and sleek dash. I would expect to see an all-digital instrument cluster. On the production model, the all-digital instrument cluster may be limited to the higher trim levels, but Audi might surprise us.
Given what we know about the interior, it’s likely that the center console will extend from the front to the rear, effectively creating a personal space for each passenger. It likely sport a flat-bottom steering wheel to go with sport seats and a unique stitching pattern, but we’ll have to wait and see if Audi actually moves all of that into the production model as well.
Drivetrain
Note: Audi Q7 drivetrain shown here.
Just like the interior, Audi hasn’t told us anything about the drivetrain of this concept. It has said that it’s a near-production model, so it is likely there’s something lurking under that muscular hood, but the question is what? In the past, we’ve speculated that the Q8 would get its list of drivetrains from the Q7. That would mean a range of gasoline and diesel engines. Some markets may see a smaller, 2.0-liter four-banger, with Europe being a very likely candidate. In the Q7, it cranks out 252 ponies and 272 pound-feet. But, here in the U.S., we’ll likely get the 3.0-liter V-6 with some 330 horses and 325 pound-feet. This will be the most powerful, all-engine option available as we all know that Audi decided to retire its 4.2-liter V-8 for its SUV/crossover lineup. Of course, there is the possibility of this concept rocking a 3.0-liter Diesel with either 272 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque or 218 horsepower and 269 pound-feet. Finally, we know that Audi has plans to offer the Q8 as an E-tron, so it may have gone all out and paired the 3.0-liter diesel with an electric motor. In the Q7, that setup offers 373 ponies and 516 pound-feet to go with an all-electric range of 34.8 miles.
While all of the engines I discussed here will likely find their way into the production Q8, including the E-tron powertrain, this concept will only rock one of the many. Since it’s just a concept, I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting Audi to release any real specs, but it could end up divulging a little bit of information. After all, it does say that the concept is near production ready. We’ll be sure to update you with as much information as possible once Audi pulls the sheet off of this exciting new model in Detroit next year, so stay tuned.
Conclusion
The whole purpose of this concept is to generate more interesting in the future Q8, and from the look of things, Audi could very well have a winner on its hands. But, right now there are a lot of discrepancies between the renderings we have here, and the spy shots we received for the Q8 prototype in mid-2016. Being the fact that the mule we saw was just an early tester, it’s likely that most of the removable body panels were decoys, so hopefully Audi will actually have something that looks pretty close to the car we see in these renderings.
It is supposedly near production ready, and if that’s the case, Audi is certainly pushing some new design cues for the future. I wouldn’t mind seeing more aggressive looking models like this, so I’m certainly hoping that Audi keeps the ball rolling in that regard. But, some could argue that the design shown off in these renderings is too much from a brand like Audi, so tell us what you think about the renderings.
Photo Credit: Audi
Press Release
Audi will start the new year with a sensation: At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2017, the premium manufacturer is to present the Audi Q8 concept. The near-production study represents a synthesis of the emotional styling of a coupé and the spaciousness that typifies an SUV. With this move, the brand is unlocking a new segment for the full-size category.
“With the Audi Q8 concept, we have created a new spearhead within our Q model line. Its design strongly evokes sportiness and prestige,” declared Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte. “What’s more, we believe an important aspect of this showcar is that it offers a spacious interior with four equally comfortable seats, even with the flat roof line.”
The study vehicle’s front end is imposing. The octagonal Singleframe is considerably wider than that in Audi’s current production models. It is positioned well forward, with three-dimensional sculpting. Many design elements of the Q8 concept are reminiscent of the Audi Ur-quattro of the 1980s. They include the extremely flat but very wide C-post, and the prominent, flared shoulders above the wheels. These balanced proportions give equal emphasis to the front and rear wheels – typically quattro.