German luxury car manufacturer will present the Audi Q8 concept SUV at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2017. Audi claims that this near-production concept combines the evocative styling of a coupé with the functionality of an SUV – thereby creating a new segment for the full-size category.
The 4-seater Audi Q8 concept vehicle will spearhead the Q model line and has the evolved look of the full-size 7-seater Q7 SUV. The octagonal Singleframe is appreciably wider than that in Audi’s current production models and constitutes 6 vertical twin slats in the fore over 5 twin horizontal slats, rendering a three-dimensional sculpted design. Many design elements of the Q8 concept are reminiscent of the Audi Ur-quattro of the 1980s. They include flat and wide C-posts and flared wheels giving equal emphasis to the front and rear wheels – typically quattro.
The Audi Q8 concept design is also suggestive of the Audi e-tron quattro Concept from 2015. If it follows the same blueprint, it will share the following with its predecessor:
1. The main lighting functions at the front would use Matrix laser technology and OLED units for the tail lights.
2. And judging by the e-tron badge on the front splitter. It will be powered by three electric motors: One electric motor drives the front axle, while the two others act on the rear axle, with a total output is 320 kW. The driver will also be able to mobilize 370 kW and over 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft) of torque temporarily during overboost. This powertrain in the Audi e-tron quattro concept allowed it to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.6 seconds and gave it an electronically governed top speed of 210 km/h (130.5 mph). However, we expect maximum output and performance to be slightly improved in the Q8 Concept.
3. Energizing the motors will be large 95 kWh lithium-ion battery integrated into the floor of the passenger compartment, allowing for a range of more than 500 kilometers (310.7 mi). The Combined Charging System (CCS) will also enable charging with DC or AC electrical current. A full charge with DC electrical current at a charging column with an output of 150 kW takes a brish 50 minutes. As an alternative, the concept could also be equipped with Audi Wireless Charging technology for contactless induction charging and a system for piloted parking that guides it to the proper position at the charging plate. In addition, it may also have large solar roof to power the drive system battery on sunny days. Again, we expect the Audi Q8 Concept to have a larger battery, with longer range and shorter charging times.
4. It may also feature dynamic-all-wheel steering which combines a dynamic steering system on the front axle with a steering system for the rear wheels, which is basically four-wheel steering.
5. The satin-finish on the side-view mirror housing of the Audi Q8 Concept also suggests it sporty nature associated with the S-line vehicles by Audi. Ofcourse, the e-tron quattro Concept had camera for this function, hence there were no exterior mirrors.
