As happened with Audi E-Tron GT 2025The automaker loves the honed quattro RS Q8 with the new Performance trim making the SUV the most powerful SUV with an internal combustion engine to come from Ingolstadt. According to European specifications, the RS Q8 Performance makes 631 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque from its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. 40 more ponies and 36 twists than what’s on today’s RS Q8, 10 ponies on RS 6 Avant Performance is also only 26 horsepower less than a non-hybrid vehicle Lamborghini Urus 2024 S and RS Q8 share the same engine. The muscle improvement comes from a freer-flowing exhaust with less back pressure, the secondary benefit being that it sounds better than the standard RS Q8. Buyers who want a larger rear end can upgrade to the RS Sport exhaust.
Audi says the new SUV hits 62 mph 0.2 seconds faster than the RS Q8 in 3.6 seconds. The bigger gains came on the move, development driver Frank Stippler clocked a 7:36.698 lap Nurburgring, giving the RS Q8 Performance the title of fastest SUV around The Green Hell. That means the racer beat the time he set on the 2020 RS Q8 by just under 16 seconds, which was the previous record. The Urus Haven’t run a public timed lap yet.
Exclusive add-ons for the RS Q8 Performance include new 23-inch forged and milled wheels in three finishes, a quartet that reduces total weight by approximately 44 pounds compared to standard 22-inch wheels. Matte gray accents around the exterior in places like the front spoiler and mirror caps help separate it from the RS Q8 which has black accents and the Performance which can be even more premium with carbon accents blur. RS Ceramics brake system with 10-piston front calipers fitted as standard, a useful combination with an optional performance package that raises top speed to around 190 mph. Inside, this one applies Dinamica microfiber to the steering wheel, gear lever and sides of the center console, and the Virtual Cockpit here has a gear shift indicator when driving in manual mode.
Underneath the new Performance specs, the RS Q8 continues to have the same outputs of 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft available today. Both versions feature minor cosmetic improvements, with more depth in the honeycomb grille, larger side air intakes, racing-inspired red vertical reflectors in the diffuser and New standard matte yellow 22-inch wheel design with 23-inch wheels available in four finishes. An update color The color palette adds three metallic options: Ascari Blue, Chili Red and Sakhir Gold. The RS Design pack places additional Dinamica microfiber around the passenger area in blue, gray or red, the chosen color is then used for contrast stitching around the cockpit, the blue pack adds it with Ocean Blue seat belt. Adaptive suspension comes with this package, an electromechanical active roll stabilization suspension (eAWS) that works through Audi and Porsche formation is an option.
We’ll find out about US specs when Audi announces our version. Expect big jumps from today’s RS Q8’s $127,000 starting price.
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