[Auto]The most powerful model of the family that arrives in Mexico: the new Audi RS Q8

[SougarLord]

All of this is the result of impeccable attention to the smallest details on the part of the designers and development engineers, which is honed through numerous test drives around the world.

The tests at the Nürburgring

The Nürburgring North Ring (Nordschleife) is a legend among all circuits. Its 20,832 kilometers are among the most challenging in the world, and each meter represents a real challenge. More than 80 percent of the route is covered at full throttle. With maximum load and at high speed, each kilometer on this circuit is equivalent to several kilometers of normal road travel. An estimated 8,000 kilometers of endurance tests on the North Ring of the Nürburgring are easily equivalent to the entire life of a car. With its high demands, the North Ring is the benchmark for all sports vehicles. If you can survive here, you can survive on the roads around the world.

Frank Stippler maintains a connection to the history of Audi Sport like no other racing driver. His greatest achievements include victories at the 24 Hours of Spa (2012) and at the Nürburgring (2012 and 2019). In fall 2019, Stippler delivered a masterstroke by setting a record in the North Ring, which he set with an RS Q8. The stopwatch recorded a lap time of 7 minutes and 42.253 seconds - certified by a notary -, with which the professional driver from Cologne surpassed the previous best time achieved by a standard SUV by twelve seconds.

 

The North Ring represents the definitive test of resistance to development and coordination work. Every new RS undergoes a minimum of 8,000 kilometers of testing on this track. The track provides very detailed information on the durability of parts in extreme conditions, as well as specific details about the suspension. With the RS Q8, the main focus was on the configuration of the springs, dampers and ESP, as well as the characteristics of the anti-roll stabilization system and the sport differential.

 

"For the first time in the 25-year history of the Audi RS models, we have combined the genetics of a true high-performance sports car with a large SUV coupe body," said Oliver Hoffmann, Director of Audi Sport GmbH. "With its V8 biturbo petrol engine, the Audi RS Q8 becomes the prestigious spearhead of the RS range."

 

Maximum power and high efficiency

The V8 4.0 engine of the new Audi RS Q8 achieves an impressive performance, worthy of an RS model: 600 hp of power and 800 Nm of torque between 2,200 and 4,500 rpm. The direct injection turbo petrol engine enables the Audi Sport GmbH SUV coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in just 3.8 seconds, while it is capable of reaching 200 km / h from zero in 13.7 seconds. The top speed of 250 km / h is electronically limited. With the optional dynamic package, the top speed goes up to 305 km / h.

 

 

The 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 boot gives the 4.0 TFSI a sporty and powerful sound. As is customary on RS models, the dual exhaust system integrates an impressive oval outlet at each end. The driver can influence the engine sound via Audi drive select. The optional RS exhaust system with black tailpipes offers an even sportier sound.

 

The V8 biturbo in the new RS Q8 combines best performance with high efficiency. Its Mild Hybrid (MHEV) technology is based on a 48-volt main electrical system. The core element of this MHEV system is a BAS alternator connected to the crankshaft, which, during deceleration and braking, can recover up to 12 kW of power and store it in the compact lithium-ion battery. If the driver takes his foot off the accelerator at speeds between 55 and 160 km / h, the management system chooses between two actions depending on the driving situation and the mode selected in Audi drive select, in such a way that the new RS Q8 manages to recover power or advance in coasting speed mode for up to 40 seconds with the engine off. The BAS alternator starts the drive in milliseconds when the accelerator is depressed again. MHEV technology allows the start / stop system to operate at speeds of up to 22 km / h. The Mild Hybrid system is connected to the video camera sensors for even greater efficiency. When the vehicle is stationary, the engine comes alive again even with the brake pedal still depressed as soon as the front-facing camera detects that the preceding vehicle begins to move. The interaction between the elements of the MHEV system improves rolling comfort and helps reduce fuel consumption in everyday use by up to 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

 

Another component that has to do with efficiency is the cylinder on demand (COD) system. At low or medium load, with the engine running at low revs and on long runs, it deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8, turning off the ignition, cutting off the fuel supply and closing the intake and exhaust valves. The moment of deactivation of the cylinders lasts only a few milliseconds and is practically imperceptible to the driver. During four-cylinder operation, those that remain active switch to highly efficient maps, while those that are not active function as springs that do not generate losses.

 

The power of the 4.0 TFSI is transmitted to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which is standard. Configured as a planetary gear, the mechanical center differential distributes force between the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio. In the event of slippage, more torque is automatically redirected to the axle with greater traction. Up to 70 percent can go to the front axle and up to 85% to the rear. Selective control of torque at each wheel improves safety and streamlines driving in the new RS Q8. In dynamic support, the optional quattro sports differential is responsible for distributing the torque between the rear wheels according to the needs. This system improves traction, stability and behavior.

 

Ready for any situation: the suspension

The five-link architecture on the front and rear axles handles longitudinal and transverse forces independently. The subframes and other elements are made, to a large extent, of aluminum. The width of this coupe SUV is 1,692mm at the front axle and 1,696mm at the rear.

 

Adaptive air suspension with damping control - standard - makes the new RS Q8 feel effective on both an asphalt circuit and an offroad track. Its specific RS tuning allows a clear differentiation between the most comfortable and the most sporty driving. Depending on the driving situation and what the driver decides, the height of the body can vary up to 90 millimeters.

 

The optional Electromechanical Active Stabilization (EAWS) system minimizes roll in fast corners thanks to a small electric motor located between the two halves of the stabilizers on both axles. When driving in a straight line, the two halves of the stabilizers disengage, reducing body movements on uneven surfaces and increasing comfort. When cornering, however, the goal is to achieve maximum rigidity and precision. This element is integrated into the 48 volt electrical system, and also serves to recover energy.

 

With the optional dynamic plus package, which raises the top speed - electronically limited - to 305 km / h, customers get a chassis designed for maximum sportiness. This pack includes the quattro sports differential and the active stabilization system. Also, RS ceramic brakes should be included.

 

The four-wheel steering, which is part of the standard equipment, allows the rear axle to turn up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front when driving at low speed; at high speed, however, it turns in the same direction as the front wheels up to a maximum of 1.5 degrees. With its variable ground clearance, short overhangs, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and descent control, the new Audi RS Q8 can continue the journey smoothly when the tarmac ends.

 

The driver can precisely influence the character of the RS Q8 using the Audi drive select dynamic driving system. There are eight modes to choose from: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, allroad, offroad and the two individually configurable RS modes (RS1 and RS2), which can be activated directly via the “RS-Mode” button located on the steering wheel. Audi drive select manages elements such as the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, exhaust sound and climate control.

 

The new RS Q8 comes standard with 23-inch ten-spoke aluminum wheels with a star design, on which 295/35 size tires sit. This is the largest tire / rim assembly fitted as standard on a production Audi to date. There are a variety of 23-inch wheel options in a five-spoke design and a wide range of exclusive colors for the RS Q8.

 

Behind the wheels is an RS brake system with ventilated discs, 420 mm in diameter on the front axle and 370 mm on the rear axle. The ten-piston calipers are painted red as standard. In the case of the optional RS ceramic brake system, the calipers are available in gray, red or blue, while the discs have a diameter of 440mm at the front and 370mm at the rear.

 

Self-confident: the exterior

With its imposing octagonal Singleframe grille in contrasting Manhattan gray with a gloss black honeycomb pattern, the new Audi RS Q8 features a front end with a lot of personality. In combination with the side air intakes and the side fender inserts in gloss black and other aerodynamic elements in matt aluminum, the SUV coupe from Audi Sport GmbH brings out its sporty character.

 

The roof line drops downward towards the D-pillars, resting in the quattro blisters on the fenders. RS-specific body-color elements widen it by 10 millimeters at the front and 5 millimeters at the rear, providing space for the widest track width. The standard Manhattan gray trim gives the car an even more sporty and streamlined appearance. The small roof spoiler provides a very striking finish on the upper part and works as an aerodynamic element that provides extra support on the rear axle when traveling at high speeds. At the bottom are specific RS details, such as the rear diffuser in aluminum look or the oval tailpipes.

 

The new Audi RS Q8 is available in nine exterior colors, one solid and eight metallic or pearl-effect. The exterior mirror housings are standard in an aluminum finish, although the customer can optionally choose to paint them in body color, black or carbon. Black and Carbon Design Packages add touches to the grille, diffuser and horizontal line of the rear lighting. In combination with these packages, both the Audi rings and the RS badges - front and rear - are optionally available in black. The Audi exclusive program offers numerous additional personalization options.0

 

There are two different LED configurations. A strip of light accompanied by a glossy black surface joins the two rear light clusters and provides a greater sense of width to the rear.

 

Sportiness with plenty of space: the interior

The interior of the new RS Q8 features a clean and uncluttered design. All elements have a logical and well harmonized connection. The fabric-covered headliner is available as an option in lunar silver, lunar silver Alcantara or black Alcantara. The slim console and the marked horizontality of the dashboard give the interior a great sense of space. The central element in the cockpit is the MMI touch response screen.

 

On the displays of the Audi virtual cockpit and MMI there is a special RS display mode that refers to tire pressure, torque, power, temperature, lap times and G-forces. A light indicates to the driver the moment to change gears when it has reached the maximum point of revolutions. The standard Head-up display is capable of projecting important information onto the windshield, including a safe navigation guide and various RS-specific graphics.

 

The voice control system can receive messages in natural language. This makes the RS Q8 a travel companion with which the user can freely talk.

 

The standard RS sports seats in Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern and embroidered RS badges perfectly match the sporting philosophy of the RS Q8. In addition to the massage function, the RS sports seats are perforated for ventilation.

 

These seats come standard in black, with the option of cognac and granite gray. The two RS design packages include red or gray contrast stitching on the knees, steering wheel, floor mats, gear selector and seat belts. With both packages, the center console, gear selector and steering wheel are covered in Alcantara.

 

On the steering wheel there is an RS logo. The running boards feature a backlit RS Q8 logo. The RS sports steering wheel in perforated leather, flattened at the bottom and with paddles for the change of direction, also includes multifunction buttons. The driver can directly select the new RS1 and RS2 modes in Audi drive select via the RS-Mode button. In doing so, RS-specific graphics appear automatically on the Audi drive select display.

 

The RS Q8 does not neglect versatility for everyday use, something that is especially evident at the rear, where the row of three individual seats with longitudinal adjustment is part of the standard equipment. With the rear seatbacks folded down, the boot has a volume of 1,755 liters.

 

Security-centric connectivity: assistants and infotainment

The new Audi RS Q8 provides driver assistance in many situations through its wide range of assistants (more than 30), including adaptive cruise control (ACC) with efficiency assistant, intersection assistant (front cross traffic assist), lane change assistant and 360 degree cameras.

 

The RS Q8 comes standard with the most advanced infotainment system, the MMI Navigation plus. Integrates the Audi connect data transfer module with LTE Advanced. With support from Audi Connect, the navigation system shows you online traffic and alternate routes to get to the point of interest. It also includes Car2x functions, which to mention a few are: emergency call, road assistance and option to generate the service appointment corresponding to the vehicle. In addition to the above, it is also possible to control some services through myAudi app, such as locating the vehicle or opening and closing its doors.

 

The new Audi RS Q8 arrives in our country from February and is available from $ 2,689,900 MN.