Updated Audi RS Q8 Bows With Hot New ‘Performance’ Trim Boasting 632 HP

Audi has updated its flagship RS Q8 super-SUV, and this latest 2024MY guise also sees a new RS Q8 Performance trimline added.

German automaker Audi hasn’t sat idle in recent weeks, evident with its latest effort at charting a Nurburgring lap record with its upcoming face-lifted RS3 model. The four-ringed marque also recently revised its e-tron GT EV sportscar range.

Earlier today, Audi continued its efforts by unveiling the renewed Audi RS Q8 super-SUV model, Apart from a mild styling nip-tuck, Audi even added a new ‘Performance’ trimline for said super-SUV that now stands as the marque’s most powerful combustion (ICE) car to date.

The newly added RS Q8 Performance stands as Audi's most powerful ICE model to date. Boasting 632 HP and 850 NM, it does 0-100 KM/H sprints in just 3.6 secs. It even stands as the fastest production SUV around the Nurburgring now.

Both are motivated by a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo heart that outputs 592 HP and 800 NM in the ‘base’ RS Q8, whereas the new RS Q8 Performance slotted above which benefits with higher 632 HP and 850 NM outputs instead to become Audi’s most powerful ICE-powered offering yet.

Both share similar driveline setups featuring an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive (AWD), not forgetting a mechanical centre diff present too. Both also ride on trick adaptive air suspension offering as much as 90 MM of ride height adjustment.

The 'base' RS Q8 is no slouch despite having lower outputs of 593 HP and 800 NM, which enables 0-100 KM/H in 3.8 secs.

Whilst the 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 3.8 secs achieved by the base RS Q8 is impressive, the Performance guise ups the ante by doing the same sprint in a quicker 3.6 secs instead. As for V-Max, each is limited to just 250 KM/H and 280 KM/H respectively too.

Much of the RS Q8 Performance version’s heightened speed stems from its high-powered tuning that also includes a bespoke performance exhaust with a meaner soundtrack to match. This variant also charted a new Nurburgring lap record for production SUVs at 7 mins 36.698 secs.

Both feature trick adaptive air suspension, AWS, as well as beefy brakes. As for rolling stock, the base RS Q8 rolls of 22-inch wheels whilst the Performance rolls on exclusive 23-inch units.

Added agility and nimbleness were endowed in both through the adoption of electromechanical active roll stabilisation. Powering which are two small electric motors positioned between two halves of the stabiliser. Adding to which is the presence of all-wheel-steering (AWS) too.

As for stopping power, 10-piston calipers with massive 420 MM front and 370 MM rear rotors halts the base RS Q8 on a dime. The Performance ups things here with slightly larger 440 MM front and the same 370 MM rear rotor sizes, albeit made from carbon ceramics instead of steel.

As for rolling stock, 22-inch alloy wheels comes as standard fitment in the base RS Q8, but the Performance gains exclusive lightweight 23-inch units instead – one of several visual cues that sets the latter guise apart easily.

Whilst on appearances still, Audi have added three new metallic hue choices – Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, ands Chili Red. The base RS Q8 also sports gloss black exterior accents, whereas the Performance gets accents finished in matte carbon and matte grey instead.

As for the cabin, changes mirror what’s seen in the updated Q7 and Q8 duo released prior. These RS-badged flagships doe see three red, grey and blue RS design interior packages on offer with Alcantara-wrapped steering, Dinamica microfibre upholstery, and perforated sports seats.

Both the revised Audi RS Q8 and new RS Q8 Performance launches in the European market this month. Locally, we can perhaps expect both to arrive perhaps later this year through brand custodians PHSAM.