Audi’s most powerful gasoline-producing vehicle is the SUV

The Audi RSQ8 2025 became the most powerful gasoline-powered production vehicle in the German brand’s history, setting a new Nürburgring track record to dethrone its Porsche sibling in the process.

The reveal of the refreshed SUV follows the update Q8 And SQ8 in September last year, which included minor equipment upgrades and a revised appearance.

Audi Australia is yet to confirm if and when we can expect to see the new model RSQ8 at local galleries.

Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine The engine is unchanged in the ‘base’ RSQ8 version, making the 441kW power and 800Nm belong to Torque is transmitted to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

The new Performance Edition is where the big gains were made, now carried over 471kW And 850Nm to reduce the 0-100km/h sprint speed to 3.6 seconds, while also becoming Audi’s most powerful gasoline-powered car.

It’s not enough to be the best Audi e-tron GT Even so, that is Last week updated to produce up to 500kW in base S form and 680kW for the top RS Performance levels.

Despite sharing a twin-turbo V8 engine with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GTThe RSQ8 is down 14kW compared to its German cousin.

However, the Audi currently holds the title as the fastest production SUV on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, completing a 20.8km lap in 7 minutes 36.698 seconds – around 2.2 seconds faster than the hot Porsche .

The performance grades score a lighter exhaust system, which is said to produce a “sportier, more sensual sound”, although an optional RS sports exhaust system can be ordered to produce more noisier and adds glossy black exhaust pipes.

The RS-specific air suspension system further underpins the RSQ8, which can vary the SUV’s ride height by up to 90mm. Electromechanical active roll stabilization (eAWS) – an effective 48-volt anti-roll bar system – is available as an option across the range.

This can be added individually or as part of the RS Dynamic Package Plus, which includes a quattro sports differential, RS ceramic brakes (standard on Performance) and a top speed increased to 305 km/h.

Following on from wider updates to last year’s Q8 range, the RS’s matrix LED headlights feature a new design, while HD matrix LED headlights are now available as an optional extra.

There’s also a revised front bumper design, a new rear diffuser and three additional metallic paint finishes – Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue and Chili Red – complemented by gloss black exterior trim on the standard RSQ8 or matte grey for the Performance grade.

Inside the cabin, the RSQ8 is available with red, gray or blue ‘RS design’ packs – with the latter being exclusive to Performance – which includes colored seatbelts, contrast stitching, Dinamica gearshift cover and upholstery. Alcantara. steering wheel.

The RSQ8’s 12.3-inch instrument cluster provides a unique gear shift indicator when in manual mode, while also providing specific graphics when launch control is activated.

European orders for the new Audi RSQ8 will open from June 27, with the base performance SUV starting from 141,900 Euros ($228,800) and the open-top Performance model from 155,700 Euros ($251,000).

THAN: Everything Audi RSQ8