Audi Unveils Refreshed RS Q8 Facelift With A Potent Performance Variant

Audi has refreshed its flagship performance SUV, the RS Q8, and introduced an even more powerful variant – the RS Q8 Performance. This new SUV claims the title of Audi’s most potent gasoline-powered car ever.

Sharper Design For The 2025 RS Q8:

The facelift brings a sharper look to the RS Q8. The front grille gets a makeover with a honeycomb pattern, flanked by revised Matrix LED headlights. The bumper’s been restyled with prominent side air intakes. New standard 22-inch alloy wheels, with the option to upgrade to even larger 23-inch rims. These new wheel with a 5-Y design are lighter by five kilograms each.

At the rear, OLED taillights with five unique lighting signatures grab attention. The honeycomb design motif continues in the rear bumper, which also houses large oval exhaust pipes for a suitably sporty touch.

2025 RS Q8 – Interior Options:

Inside the RS Q8, you’re greeted with a choice of color schemes – red, gray, or blue that’s exclusive to the Performance model. You also get sporty seats, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus digital driver display, and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Powertrains: Standard Power Or Untamed Performance?

Both versions of the RS Q8 pack a punch under the hood – a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, the same powerhouse found in the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

The standard RS Q8 delivers 591 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque, launching the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds. The electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h can be optionally increased to 280 km/h or even a staggering 305 km/h.

Both variants boast adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering as standard. An electromechanical active roll stabilization system, Quattro sport differential, and ceramic brake system are on the options list.

The RS Q8 Performance:

For those who crave even more power, Audi introduces the range-topping RS Q8 Performance. This monster pumps out 640 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque, shaving 0.2 seconds off the 0-100 km/h time compared to the standard variant.

But power isn’t everything. The RS Q8 Performance gets a sportier and lighter exhaust system for a more thrilling soundtrack. And for those who truly want to announce their arrival, an optional RS Sport exhaust system with gloss black tips is available.

With this level of performance, the RS Q8 Performance has not only become the most powerful Audi gasoline car ever produced, but it has also conquered the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack as the fastest SUV to ever lap the legendary course.

Pricing And Competitors:

While official Indian pricing for the RS Q8 is yet to be revealed, this SUV is to compete with the heavyweights like the BMW X5 M, Range Rover Sport SV, Mercedes-AMG G63, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.

Verdict Time

The 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance, despite its impressive 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine and striking design, falls short of justifying its high price tag. The advanced infotainment system can be unintuitive and prone to fingerprint smudges, which is a let down in terms of the user experience​. Additionally, the ride quality, while competent, lacks the refined handling expected from a vehicle of this caliber, and its substantial weight impacts agility, making it less nimble compared to some competitors​.