Wednesday 29th July

New RSQ8-LE is 1000hp 'grand finale'

Abt rounds off its limited edition 130-year anniversary cars with gratuitous take on Audi's second-largest SUV

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So here we have it: the final car of the triumvirate, the three Audis celebrating 130 years since Abt’s creation, is an RSQ8. Following a 630hp RS3 and 800hp RS6 was never going to be a simple task, but then this is hardly Abt’s first horsepower rodeo. So what you’re looking at here is a 1,000hp Audi SUV. Happy birthday indeed. 

As with previous 1,000hp builds straight outta Kempten, the RSQ8-LE 1000 employs indirect water/ethanol injection for maximum V8 gains. This allows for ‘intensive internal cooling of the engine’; if the air is cool, more oxygen can be combusted, and then you’re well on the way to more power. Abt says the new injection system offers ‘consistently high, reliably available power even under maximum load.’ With a new turbo and intercooler, the LE 1000 gains more than 50 per cent over a standard 640hp RSQ8 Performance. You know, the fastest SUV in the world around the Nurburgring. 

There’s a chance that the Abt may even be able to improve on that lap time, for those feeling especially brave, thanks to the introduction of Abt eAWS adaptive roll stabilisation. Actuators on both axles offer ‘noticeably reduced body in corners and a composed, near-sports car feel in an SUV of this class.’ That and the 200mph top speed ought to make the RSQ8 quite handy around a track. There’d be little danger of fellow circuitgoers not seeing you…

The forged 23-inch wheels are gold, as found on the other pair of anniversary specials, but as the finale the RSQ8 ups the ante even further. Note the exposed carbon bodykit from front lip to rear diffuser (including bonnet and arch vents, too!), new badges and a gold anniversary coin on the transmission tunnel. You’re only 130 once. 

Hans-Jürgen Abt said: With the RSQ8-LE 1000, we are picking up exactly where we left off with the RS6-LE 800. The trilogy is complete, and all three models stand for what Abt has represented for 130 years: passion, craftsmanship, and the courage to keep setting new standards.”

Once more, just 30 will be built, and they’ll be for only the most dedicated of Abt obsessives: the kit alone costs €165,000 (a Q8 bodykit uses a lot of carbon fibre), plus another €20k on fitting. At current exchange rates, that’s the best part of £160k. Or more than a regular RSQ8 already costs on top of buying an RSQ8. Still, people probably spend similar on an Urus - and that only has 812hp…

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• New RS3 630 is 'very peak' of EA855 performance
• New 800hp Audi RS6 LE marks 130 years of Abt

[dukeboy749r]

Of course it will go like stink and (thanks to the upgrades) no doubt handle extremely well, in the right hands. Yet it just feels liek its trying that bit too hard. Not a fan of the interior, either.

Lucky for the few who want it, though.

[fantheman80]

it really is fast SUV week on PH

I would happily punt about in that and have it over an Urus or the others no probs. Maybe as I am a hot hatch fan, with its side skirts and other bits, its looks like an RS3 that's been on the 'roids.

[Silverbullet767]

I miss smaller nimble cars, I never understood the super fast SUV market. Get something more suitable if you want to go fast, or if you need the space and still want to make progress, RS6.

[mjspencer348]

1000hp and 2.4 tonnes sounds alarming on any racetrack, let alone that German one, probably best left to the imagination... it certainly ticks all the boxes if numbers are your thing.

[MDMA .]

I like it. Would prefer it with a tan colour interior though.

[CrippsCorner]

Not my kind of car at all, but green and gold just works so well. Those wheels are absolutely sublime. Wouldn't mind it as a family car to be fair!

[biggbn]

Woof. Love this lots

[nismo48]

Formidable stats and she does have presence too.
Wonder what Brabus thinks

[fflump]

I’m not going to rant at it’s weight or price but In a vehicle this size and price I would prioritize ride and luxury over carbon and horsepower, which is best left to platforms more suited to their enjoyment. I admire the way Rolls Royce don’t chase horsepower for the sake of it

[GTEYE]

What on earth were ABT tuning back in 1896??

[GreatScott2016]

biggbn said:

Woof. Love this lots

Not usually my type of thing, but that does look good in a “don’t even think about it” kind of way

[Stick Legs]

I don't want one but love that it exists.

[GTRene]

I think it looks and by tech etc, pretty interesting if you are into this bigger cars stuf.

[ducnick]

No longer even Audi’s second largest suv, what with the release of the q9, it’s now their 3rd largest suv.

[theoperative]

I like it but i would rather have some of the updates on a lower spec model for reliability and slightly better economy. And it would have to be in that dark Purple that Audi do, the one that looks black one second then when the light hits it, it's purple

[KingNothing]

GTEYE said:

What on earth were ABT tuning back in 1896??

Ford Quadricycle, they remapped the 4 horsepower engine to push out 450bhp.

[epom]

Not for me by a long shot. But good for them, they know the market and it’s absolutely bonkers.

[mjspencer348]

theoperative said:

I like it but i would rather have some of the updates on a lower spec model for reliability and slightly better economy. And it would have to be in that dark Purple that Audi do, the one that looks black one second then when the light hits it, it's purple

Audi Velvet Violet, Pearl Effect

[reg-e92m3]

love it. Had a sq9 rental in Puglia, Italy for about a week and was an absolute blast.
brilliant car and my first time in a 'proper' Audi, from a BMW guy