It’s sporty and athletic and just what the world needs to make driving a luxury SUV a less mundane experience, without reaching in to Lamborghini Urus price tag territory. Meet the 2020 Audi RS Q8, the first RS SUV the German automaker is selling in the U.S.
The body of the RS Q8 remains mostly unchanged from the more traditional Q8 models. It does have an octagonal Singleframe grille and the RS-specific honeycomb design, as well as black front air inlets. At the back are an RS roof-edge spoiler and RS-specific rear bumpers with alu-optic diffuser trim.
The model is built ready for the road and track.Photo courtesy of Audi AG
Additional standard equipment includes HD Matrix-design LED headlights; LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights; rear dynamic turn indicators, and 22-inch 10-spoke star design wheels with summer tires. The available Black Optic package adds black exterior accents, black rings and badges and 23-inch 5-Y-spoke rotor design wheels in anthracite with summer tires.
Audi builds on the Black Optic package with the available Carbon Optic package that adds carbon to the exterior side mirrors, front spoiler and rear bumper inlay and mask surrounding the Singleframe grille.
The car has a bi-turbo 4.0-liter V8 under its hood that delivers 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can get from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 155 mph with its standard equipment. When RS ceramic brakes are added, that number reaches 190.
Up to 70 percent can be directed to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear wheels.
Audi has given the car two available exterior packages that increase the car’s dark features.Photo courtesy of Audi AG
Uniquely,
the car has a 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 ignition sequence that gives the car a robust sound. It has a dual exhaust system with an oval tailpipe one each side. Opting for the RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipe trims gets the buyer an even sportier sound.
A host of equipment make the model more dynamic than the Q8. It has a standard adaptive air suspension and active roll stabilization.
The car is offered with seven different drive modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Allroad, Offroad, RS1, and RS2. The Audi drive select setting influences the engine and transmission management, power steering, the air suspension, all-wheel steering and engine sound.
The interior of the car is mostly unchanged from the Q8 with minimalist yet technology-forward design leading the way. Every RS Q8 comes standard with ventilated RS sport Valcona leather seats with “RS” honeycomb stitching. The perforated, heated RS sport leather steering wheel features new large RS aluminum shift paddles on either side of the wheel.
The sporty sloped roof and low profile make this SUV looks sleek.Photo courtesy of Audi AG
An available Luxury package adds an Alcantara headliner, fine Nappa leather accents on the center console, armrests and instrument panel, power rear window sunshades.
The standard audio system is a Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System with 17 speakers and 16-channel amplifier. The available Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System delivers nearly true-to-life surround sound through 23 speakers.
The 2020 Audi RS Q8 has a starting MSRP of $113,000 and an additional $995 destination charge.
