2020 Audi RS Q8 SUV Performs Beautifully at the Nurburgring

The introduction of the Audi Q8 full-size luxury crossover last year has been followed by very good commend from customers. The SUV’s fast-rising popularity made Audi thinks that a couple of additional performance models would be a nice complement to the regular Q8. There’s no other new Audis that ever got such a fast performance treatment. So you can tell that this model is quite a special one.

For example, the A5 Sportback got its RS treatment only after it entered the second generation. Meanwhile, the Q5 which is the best selling Audi in some countries still haven’t got one. But the diesel-powered SQ8 TDI is already here. What still makes us curious is, however, how well the 4-liter V8 engine performs when it runs on petrol.

Luckily, we get the answer from a video uploaded by Carspotter Jeroen. It shows the RS Q8 being put through its paces at the Nurburgring. The car is filmed running around the track and its surrounding areas. Despite the identical look shown by some parts of its body, the RS Q8 is actually a little more aggressive overall.

It’s clearly a new prototype that has never been seen before, we know about that after noticing its new front-end. Audi made the side intakes of this car stick out nearly as far as its center grille. The automaker also gave the mesh a revised form. What we don’t see here is the typical shape of RS wheels.

Compared to the standard Q8, the RS version features wider tracks and a lower ride height. The axle could have new configuration as well, although stabilizer bars and air suspension will stay to make the car as comfortable as ever. Another thing we expect is the S8’s predictive system that scans the road with cameras.

Just as other big RS cars, the Audi RS Q8 crossover will be propelled by 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine; a new one of course, built in collaboration with Porsche. Does this remind you of the Panamera Turbo’s output? Wait, instead of only producing 550 hp, the new powerhouse will make anywhere from 560 and 605 hp, if not even more.