Watch The New Audi RSQ8 Tear Its Way Around The Nurburgring

Like it or not, there’s another very fast, V8-powered SUV on the way. This latest effort is from Audi, and it’s called the RSQ8.

A partially disguised test mule has been spotted at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and it sounds extremely angry. It looks to handle pretty well too, considering its sheer size and mass.

It’s a car we’ve been expecting, and we had previously anticipated that the range-topping Q8 would borrow the 642bhp twin-turbo V8 from the Lamborghini Urus. However, according to Autocar, it’ll instead use the part-electric powertrain from the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid.

Audi - Watch The New Audi RSQ8 Tear Its Way Around The Nurburgring - News

So, it’ll have the same V8 as the Urus, but in a lower state of tune. The internal combustion engine will bring 542bhp to the party, with an additional 134bhp generated by a lithium-ion battery pack and a motor.

With both elements working together to produce a total output of 671bhp, it’d have the power bragging rights over the Lambo SUV, and be Audi’s most powerful vehicle, but at a cost – a hybrid RSQ8 would be enormously heavy. The recently revealed SQ8 already weighs around 2400kg, and although the RSQ8’s petrol V8 will be lighter than the S car’s diesel mill, that Panamera Turbo S hybrid system will add an extra 300kg. Ouch.

Regardless of the inevitable porky weight figure, would the RSQ8 be your rapid SUV of choice, or would your money go elsewhere?

Source: Read Full Article