In 2009, Audi replaced Mercedes as World’s second largest luxury car manufacturer. According to experts, Mercedes will slip past Audi to take the number two spot below BMW, the world’s largest luxury carmaker. However, the brand with four rings, is not willing to go down without a fight.
We recently reported that Audi trademarked seven new names from its future car lineup. While some names were an obvious pick, others are surrounded by questions and speculations. One such name, was of the Audi Q8, which would practically replace the Q7 as Audi’s flagship luxury SUV. The British Car magazine, gives us a scoop of what exactly the upcoming SUV would be like.
Built on Volkswagen’s iconic MLB platform, the Audi Q8 will undergo serious diet to feature a structure lighter than the current Q7. For this, the SUV will make extensive use of lightweight material like steel (60 percent) and aluminum (40 percent).
In terms of power plant, the Audi Q8 will borrow the entire engine of the Q7, while excluding the entry-level inline-four unit. The petrol trim includes two V6 engines pumping 230 hp and 300 hp. On the diesel end, the Q8 will sport a V6 TDI motor delivering 250 hp, and a 4.2 V8 unit with 400 hp. Audi also offers the S-line package for the Q8, which features a 4.0-litre V8 under the hood. This twin-turbo mammoth gives a ground breaking 550 hp. As the launched is scheduled somewhere in 2015, the Audi Q8 is also expected to keep up with the changing technology and give options of a hybrid drive, with an electric motor supported by a V6 TDI diesel unit.
Watch this space for more from the SUV with four rings.
