Audi Q8: A Fresh Update for 2024:-
The Audi Q8 is fresh from a mild run through what’s changed and reacquaint you with what is a charmer of an SUV before I get into the details I have to tell you I think the Audi Q8 is the best looking of the German SUV Coupes but what do you think let me know in the comment section below .
Exterior Updates: Bold Design Tweaks:-
The list isn’t a long one there’s the new Option of this fetching sakir gold paint shade for a start the headlights are familiar in shape but have been upgraded to HD Matrix LED units with powerful laser lights for highbeam what’s also cool is the option to toggle between four DRL light signatures the Bold octagonal grill gets a facelift of its own with the incorporation of chrome teardrop detailing that adds in a bit of bling also the Q8 makes the move to Audi’s new 2D logo the front bumper has been revised with a new intake design and Chin spoiler at the sides it’s the new 21in rims finished in graphite gray and red brake calipers that are your only cues to this being the 2024.
Frameless Windows and Signature Rear Design:-
Q8 it’s not a shape I tinker with much to be honest the balanced proportions and in particular the flow of the cillar and exaggerated hunches that link to Audi’s hero rally cars of the 80s give the Q8 standout appeal frameless windows are another detail that will leave an impression at the hotel lobby at the back the latest Q8 carries forward the full width LED lighting though a rerun scuff plate completes this mildest of makeovers even less has changed .
Interior: Minimal Changes, Familiar Layout:-
On the inside of the Audi Q8 in fact you’d be hard pressed to tell that this is actually the updated cars interior you still get the three screen layout so you have digital dials you get a touchscreen up top and a touchcreen lower down and in general the trim and colors are also very familiar now talking of the screens themselves uh the top touchscreen is nice to use very slick but it still misses on wireless Android auto and apple carplay you will have to plug in your phone whenever you want to use those features as for the touch screen lower down .
Features: High-End, But Missing Some Extras:-
Now it is a screen that we’ve learned to use over time but it does require you to take your eyes off the road there is haptic feedback but it’s not the ideal setting as for Audi’s virtual cockpit digital diales again it’s the same story they looked great A couple of years ago but now just lack the vibrancy that we’ve seen in the screens that you get on the latest lot of BMWs and MCS features wise you get those complex headlamps you get soft closing for the doors you get a sweet sounding bang and Olson sound system you get the the all important panoramic sunroof aside from the three screens that I have already touched upon there’s ambient lighting too park assist and a 360° camera with maneuver assist that will apply the brakes if the system senses an impending Collision .
When you’re parking your vehicle however a full Suite of Adas features is missed which is something you’d expect on a car of this price also there’s no seat ventilation and even steering adjust is manual the interior might not have the W factor of new arrivals but quality wise the cabin is topnotch over to the back the Q8 is a large car and correspondingly scores huge on space at the back .
Rear Seat Comfort: Spacious and Adjustable:-
Now the front seat is set to my driving position and check out the space have to the front seats really well catered to on seat comfort as well and there’s also the option to drop the rear seat back Rest by a few degrees for added Comfort now widthwise it is sufficient for three passengers but this wide center console will impede comfort for the middle passenger then again you wouldn’t be buying a Q8 to travel with a Full House the best way to experience this seat is to fold the armrest down and relax now as for features at the back rear seat occupants get dedicated zones for the climate control system .
Cargo Space: No Change in Practicality:-
There’s this drop- down Center armrest that opens up to reveal two cup holders and you also get powered sun shades luggage space remains unchanged at 605 L folding down the rear seats takes that figure to 1755 L there are no changes under the hood .
Powertrain: Smooth and Refined Performance:-
We get the Q8 in 55 tfsi form which means power comes courtesy a 3.0liter V6 turbo petrol engine the engine makes 340 horsep and 500 newon M and power is channeled to all four wheels bya Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system it’s a familiar experience behind the wheel but also a very likable one this is not the kind of engine that makes a song and dance off the power that it has power delivery is smooth throughout and you have this feeling of a reserve of power that you can always tap into the engine will show its full might when you really provoke it 0 to 100 kph takes a claimed 5.6 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 kph thing is the Q8 is the kind of car that has a calming effect on you which is also a function of its excellent refinement refinement is really good you won’t hear much from the engine bay at average city speeds and even Road and wind noise are really well contained there is one notable change Under the Skin though.
Driving Dynamics: Comfort Over Sportiness:-
Now only available with steel Springs you don’t get an option of air suspension as you did before does that mean right Comfort is a compromise absolutely not it rounds off the bumps really well it doesn’t feel as stiff needed as some of the other European luxury Rivals and mind you that it’s doing all that it does on large 21inch the Q8 prioritizes Comfort over driver engagement and there’s really nothing wrong with that approach the 8 comes across as a Smooth Operator in the corners as well it’s not the most dynamic SUV even with its steering and suspension set to their sportiest but for something so large and so heavy you still will have quite a bit of fun in the corners body control is good and so are grip levels help in no small measure by Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system for Max driver.
Pricing and Market Position:-
Thrills you’ll have to wait for the updated version of the fire breathing rsq8 that should come to India early next year so that in a nutshell is the 2024 Audi Q8 priced at 1.17 CR rupees X showroom it slots in between the outgoing Q8 and Q8 celebration variant also with the BMW X6 currently not on sale in India and the Mercedes GLE Coupe only sold in AMG form at a much higher price point the Q8 sits in a sweet spot in the luxury SUV Market the right way to look at a Q8 would be as a fashionable alternative to a BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE yes the update should have filled in the blanks with added features but the rest of the package remains likable as ever so just as before for an SUV that’s all about size and Glamour the Q8 still offers .