The crossover made its official debut this month after we saw it in a year ago.
We didn't get too much detail on the mechanical specs, but we do know it will be a mild hybrid, likely with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine.
A new starter/generator and 48-volt electrical system will provide power for what Audi claims are "long coasting phases with the engine deactivated."
The big news is the Q8's styling, with Audi calling it the "new face of the Q family." That includes the grille, rear light bar, big wheel arches and more. Let's take a look, piece by piece.
1. The new grille
Audi added two sides to its formerly hexagonal grille for the . Everyone knows octagons are way cooler anyway. Designer Sascha Heyde says, "It's the first eye-catching element" that people see, and that's true. It's shorter than the current version on the rest of the Qs, the bars are farther apart and the verticals are more prominent. The new grille looks chunkier, more cartoony, maybe, but not bad.
The bezel is thicker, making it look like the grille is protruding from the nose of the car. That emphasizes the crossover-as-coupe philosophy.
2. The rear end
In back, the taillights connect via that black piece, which designers say emphasizes the width of the vehicle. The light fixtures are way more stylized than the ones on the Q7 as well. Surely that will trickle down to the rest of the lineup. It's all very symmetrical and clean-looking with the twin reflectors and dual exhaust below.
3. The roof
"The roofline is supposed to be a coupe, but it's different from a normal coupe roofline." -- Sascha Heyde, Audi design
Heyde says it also offers more headroom than a "normal" crossover coupe, and that's true. Where the and rooflines slope to the rear fascia, the extends while only dipping slightly, more like those of the and . In fact, as far as coupelike crossover/SUVs go, this is one of the better-looking ones.
4. The cabin
Inside, it's all new and all screens in the . has something similar, a screen for nav on top and another screen for climate and radio below. It's not a bad system -- keeping the navigation within view at all times is a good feature. Also, it's easy to poke at the buttons when your hand is resting on the gearshift (when it should be on the wheel). Additionally, the gets system that is customizable and puts everything, including the navigation, in the gauge cluster. If you're under 40 and not averse to screens, you'll like this interior.