Many prototypes of the Audi Sport coupe-SUV were seen working hard at the “Ring gym.”
We shared a spy clip from the Nürnbergring last night with a prototype for an Audi Sport model. Now, another Quattro-equipped performance vehicle has been spotted at Green Hell. The SQ8 is captured by the same Automotive Mike. It can be seen here thanks to several prototypes with the familiar S-specific quad exhaust tips.
The go-faster is surprisingly agile for such a heavy vehicle. It seems to have the ability to impress even those who are against the SUV. The white vehicle in the test is a result of our own spying. We captured the same TDI-badged SQ8 in June without any camouflage.
Recent reports suggest that Audi will sell the SQ8 with two different engines depending on where it is located, similar to the SQ5. The 429-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 Diesel engine from the SQ7 and Bentley Bentayga Diesel will power the performance coupe-SUV. This electrified mill produces a mountain-moving 600 Newton-meters (664 pound feet) of torque at just 1,000 rpm.
The first SQ8 will be downsized to a 3.0-liter TFSI TFSI V6 in the United States. This is due to unknown output. If you feel that a six-cylinder gasoline-fed engine is too small to handle the fast luxobarge you will be happy to know Audi has also created an RS Q8 with a large and thirsty V8. The SQ8 will be revealed before the end, so the best case scenario would be at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the coming weeks. The SUV’s top dog, the RS, is expected to arrive sometime in 2019, to be a cheaper alternative to the Lamborghini Urus.