Overview
You get the polite nods at Christmas, the condescending pats on the back, and the half-hearted “Good for you” when announcing an achievement. That has always been the plight of the Audi Q8. While its siblings, the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne, and even the Bentley Bentayga, have been out setting lap records, scaring pedestrians, and generally making a spectacle of themselves, the Q8 has been left holding the coats.
But this isn’t just any Q8. This is the RS Q8 Performance, the most powerful petrol Audi ever, and the biggest, baddest SUV Ingolstadt has dared to build. It costs just under two and a half crore rupees (ex-showroom), and in return, you get a machine that holds the record for the fastest SUV lap at the Nordschleife, clocking in at 7 minutes and 36 seconds. In India, it goes wheel to wheel with the Aston Martin DBX707, BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, and the Porsche Cayenne.
Of course, on paper, the sceptics will say the same old things. That it’s not as wild as the Urus, sharp as the Cayenne, or aristocratic as the Bentayga. But what exactly does it do? Let’s find out.
Verdict
The RS Q8 Performance does not attempt to be something it is not. It does not seek to emulate the outright aggression of a Lamborghini Urus, nor does it aim for the ultra-luxurious approach of a Bentley Bentayga. Instead, it refines the concept of the performance SUV into something genuinely usable without feeling diluted.
It is fast, but not reckless. It is capable, but not uncomfortable. It delivers its performance without unnecessary theatrics, relying on engineering rather than artificial dramatics to make its case. In a segment where excess is often mistaken for excellence, the RS Q8 Performance demonstrates that restraint, when applied correctly, can be just as compelling.
Now, let’s talk about what lies beneath that carefully sculpted exterior. The RS Q8 Performance is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, a familiar workhorse within the Volkswagen Group’s stable. This engine is hardly a novelty; it powers everything from the RS6 to the Porsche Cayenne. However, in the RS Q8, it has been tuned to offer something rather extraordinary.
In its “standard” RS Q8 guise, this V8 produces a respectable 592 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. However, the performance variant takes things up a notch, delivering 631 bhp and a slightly improved torque output. The result? A 0–100 kmph time of just 3.6 seconds, considering that this is a 2.3-tonne SUV, not a lithe sports coupe, that’s bonkers. Simply put, the 0–100 kmph video shoot had to be redone seven times, not because of technical issues, but because involuntary expletives from the camera crew ruined every single take. There is fast, and then there is fast enough to override professional composure completely. The RS Q8 Performance firmly belongs in the latter category.
Of course, brute force alone isn’t enough in today’s day and age. Audi has engineered this heavy SUV to be something far more nuanced. Power is channelled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and distributed via the brand’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. It’s a setup that prioritises grip and balance over theatrics, ensuring that the RS Q8 remains planted no matter the conditions. The mechanical centre differential allows up to 85% of torque to be sent to the rear or 70% to the front, depending on the situation's demands. The result? A car that feels as secure at triple-digit speeds (till 305 kmph with the optional package) on an expressway as it carves through mountain roads with absolutely no body roll or understeer.
Then there’s the adaptive air suspension, a crucial ingredient in the RS Q8’s dual personality. Ride height can be adjusted by up to 90 mm, meaning it can waft over potholes and speed breakers with the composure of a well-mannered luxury SUV, yet hunker down when the mood takes you. The carbon-ceramic brakes, 420 mm at the front and 370 mm at the rear, are equally serious about their job, bringing the RS Q8 to a stop without any drama.
Switch to Dynamic mode, and the transformation is immediate. The steering gains weight, the throttle becomes sharper, and the RS sports exhaust lets out a deep, guttural note that reminds you there’s a serious V8 under the bonnet. But even at its most aggressive, the RS Q8 Performance never feels unruly. It doesn’t indulge in unnecessary histrionics; it simply gets the job done with effortless confidence.
Step inside, and the RS Q8 Performance greets you with the same quiet confidence as its exterior. There are no excessive flourishes, no desperate attempts to dazzle with unnecessary embellishments. Some might call it sterile compared to its rivals' theatrical interiors, but they’d be missing the point. This space is designed to work, to enhance the driving experience rather than distract from it. The architecture is primarily borrowed from its Q7 and Q8 siblings, logical, modern, and utterly devoid of gimmickry.
Behind the wheel, a crisp 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit takes centre stage, providing all the necessary information. It’s complemented by a central infotainment touchscreen that, mercifully, resists the temptation to overload with too many menus or abstract graphics. Audi’s approach is refreshingly straightforward. You get exactly what you need: navigation, media, a suite of RS-specific metrics like torque curves and lap times, subtle nods to the car’s performance pedigree, rather than brash declarations. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only through wired Type-C ports, which feels like an oversight in a world where wireless connectivity is fast becoming the norm.
The seating, courtesy of Audi’s RS Super Sport seats, is firm but never punishing, they hug you tightly to hold you in place. While seat heating and ventilation functions are standard, massaging ones are optional. The material choices follow the same philosophy: carbon-fibre and Alcantara accents are used sparingly, adding depth and texture without excessive luxury.
The RS Q8 Performance shows up with intent. It’s still a Q8 at heart, with its frameless glasshouse and crisp, geometric intersections harking back to Audi’s Quattro roots. But where the standard model is a well-mannered executive, the RS Q8 Performance is the one who’s just returned from training at the Nürburgring and thats where the details differ.
For 2025, Audi has sharpened its largest performance SUV with a revised front apron. The honeycomb grille, an RS hallmark, takes centre stage, flanked by Matrix LED headlights. These are, quite simply, the best adaptive headlights I’ve used in a long time. Using cameras, LED sources, and precise optics, they selectively dim sections of the beam to avoid dazzling other drivers while illuminating the rest. It’s a brilliantly effective system.
But the real magic is in its stance. The 23-inch, 5-spoke lightweight alloy wheels reduce unsprung mass just enough to matter. Finished in matte gold, they contrast beautifully with the chilli red exterior, Iron Man spec, no doubt, on our media test car.
At the rear, things remain measured. A vertical central reflector within the rear diffuser offers a subtle nod to Audi’s Formula 1 ambitions. However, unlike some rivals, it refrains from bolting on an exaggerated wing or unnecessary aero trickery. The RS Q8 Performance doesn’t need flamboyance to make its presence known. It carries effortless confidence, knowing exactly what it’s capable of, and no oversized spoilers or gimmicks are required.
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 632 bhp
Torque: 850 Nm
0 to 100 kmph: 3.6 seconds (claimed)
Price: ₹2.49 crore (ex-showroom)
