My you could do a lot of damage, shopping with the All-New Audi Q8 - the boot is enormous...It would take hundreds of pounds to fill it.
Maggie Barry, has no time for shopping and drives the striking All-New Audi Q8 Vorsprung 50 TDI quattro at the UK Launch
To be truthful everything about this car is larger than life starting at the deep grille front. “It’s like a big mouth,” my co-driver commented. It is big, and deep too and it carefully conceals some of the scanners and cameras that are taking this bad boy fully equipped into the next decade.
And at 4986mm long, 1995mm wide and 1705mm high it will go there without trepidation. Stand beside it and you’ll see what I mean. To be truthful, it is not quite as long or as high as the seven-seater Q7 but it is a bit wider which gives it enormous street presence and inside there is loads of room too.
There are only five seats - which accounts for the boot space that can be enhanced at the touch of a button by lowering the second row. There are also Isofix fittings in the two outside rear seats. The extra width means youngsters won’t be squeezed especially an older one in the middle and three adults will have plenty of room.
Inside, the new Q8 is all elegance with leather seats, a perforated leather gear knob, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel andbeautiful piano black gloss slashing its way across the dash.
But it’s not all about looks. There is piles of substance behind the two screens sitting one above the other on the central console. The upper houses the sat nav, entertainment and information systems, apps and Audi Connect, while the lower is for heating, ventilation and air con. Interestingly you can also write on this for the sat nav directions. Alternatively, you can use your voice - “Find my gym” and the system will respond while the sat nav etches out your way.
Now the All-New Q8 comes in two trim levels, the entry-level S line which starts at £65,040 and the Vorsprung model which hikes it up to £83,040. However, this includes just about every system and feature Audi can throw at you so may end up being more value for money.
There are 39 driving systems and features on the Vorsprung edition, says Audi, that take it to level two autonomy if that is what interests you.
But honestly? The Q5 S line is lovely and has the same engine, which incidentally is a mild hybrid.
Both come with adaptive air suspension which takes the p out of potholes and means the eggs don’t get cracked when you do the shopping. It is like floating around the roads.
The Q8 is a great drive with loads of punch when you need it. The all-wheel steering keeps you glued to the road and the turning circle is excellent for getting you out of tricky situations like one- way streets and wrong turnings. Who would have thought such a large lad would be so useful on his wheels.
Surprisingly, the Q8 doesn’t feel cumbersome to drive and it makes you feel confident and safe, not just because of all the systems but because you are Queen of the Road in this striking flagship SUV - OK I’ll settle for Princess.
Car reviewed: All-New Audi Q8 Vorsprung 50 TDI quattro - Price On the road £83,040 - Audi Q8 S line Q8 prices start at £64,040 0-62mph 6.3 secs Top speed 152mph Fuel Economy combined 41.5mpg CO2 emissions 178g/km Engine 2967cc 6-cylinder EU6 with 48 volt mild hybrid system Max Power 286PS@3500-4000rpm Torque 600Nm@2250-3250rpm Transmission 8-speed tiptronic
Enormous street presence
Beautiful and spacious interior
The best safety and driving systems so far
Pricey, but somehow feels worth every penny
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