Wednesday 25th January 2017

First Audi Q8 spy shots

The concept was only shown earlier this month, but here's the first look at a prototype

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While the Audi Q8 concept shown at Detroit most certainly previewed a production car, it was still a surprise to see a test mule so early. That being said, with the car due in 2018, winter testing couldn't wait until next January!

A grille coming to you soon

Depending on your perspective, the fact that this car looks much like the concept will be a very good or a very bad thing. The new Audi Singleframe grille is present and prominent, a feature that looks set to become an Audi design signature over the coming years. While the rear has been toned down, and doesn't appear to feature the Quattro-esque panel between the lights, the "flat and compact" look has been retained. Expect the lights all around to be LEDs.

Pictured with a Q7, this Q8 prototype shows a few key differences, particularly in profile. While not exactly svelte the latter has a swoopier look, most notably as the roof and windscreen taper down at the back. The Q8 seems a fraction lower and wider as well. Put simply, it's going to be pretty damn big.

Otherwise there's not much to grab the attention just yet. While it will be in these snowy surroundings for cold weather testing, the Q8 will probably retain much of the Q7's off-road ability as well. Make your own guesses there about how much will actually be used by customers. The engine range will most likely mimic the Q7 too, though a focus on hybrid rather than diesel powertrains seems likely in light of recent events. Plus with both an X6 M and a GLE63 Coupe available, is an RS Q8 such a daft idea? Let's see, as that's a little way off just yet. More details on the production car as they're available.

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Images: S. Baldauf/S.B. Medien

 

[astrsxi77]

Desolation.

[Tuvra]

It can't be worse looking than the latest Q7, that thing is an absolute horror show.

[markwm]

Tuvra said:

It can't be worse looking than the latest Q7, that thing is an absolute horror show.

Looks great in S guise imo:

[anonymous-user]

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

[Dave Hedgehog]

markwm said:

Tuvra said:

It can't be worse looking than the latest Q7, that thing is an absolute horror show.

Looks great in S guise imo:

no, no it does not

[Dave Hedgehog]

Greg66 said:

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

mega cock's, for people who a normal audi wont reflect their true level of cockness

[J4CKO]

Dave Hedgehog said:

Greg66 said:

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

mega cock's, for people who a normal audi wont reflect their true level of cockness

Hasnt the X6 and various Gemballa Cayennes got that market sewn up ?

[hondansx]

markwm said:

Looks great in S guise imo:

Er, nope!

[DirtyIrish]

J4CKO said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

Greg66 said:

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

mega cock's, for people who a normal audi wont reflect their true level of cockness

Hasnt the X6 and various Gemballa Cayennes got that market sewn up ?

Always room for one more and it will sell like the others mentioned above

[OverSteery]

Greg66 said:

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

I imagine it will more than fill the parking gap in the supermarket and overflow out onto either sides.

[VGTICE]

It's going to be wider than Q7... WHY VAG WHY

[Alex P]

Greg66 said:

What gap in the market is this trying to fill?

The gap in the market for naming a car after a country in the Middle East.

[SirSquidalot]

Q8 presumably where most of the customers will come from... Horrid piece of tat.

[mgmt585]

"Next up, on Audinews.com" ...

[Greg_D]

hondansx said:

markwm said:

Looks great in S guise imo:

Er, nope!

maybe if they'd blurred the remainder of the picture out, it'd look a bit better. they look ridiculous

[leghorn]

Why bother with the camouflage? They all look the same.

[Fetchez la vache]

leghorn said:

Why bother with the camouflage? They all look the same.

Precisely. It needs camouflage *because* they all look the same. Otherwise there wouldn't be a forum topic about it, where everyone would slate it and say it looks the same.

[Tuvra]

hondansx said:

markwm said:

Looks great in S guise imo:

Er, nope!

Nah not for me either, in fairness, from the front its not too bad, from the rear/side is where it really goes wrong:-

[Al U]

Assuming that a normal person may get one on lease (as is the way these days) the wheels will probably survive one trip in and out of a multi-storey car park before being curbed to fark.

[Leggy]

Audi have dropped the ball with this new style. I saw a canary yellow Q2 or whatever its called, and it was hideous. They've lost the sleek look of a few years back, and now makes BMW's look good! (Well some of them).