The Audi RS Q8 Performance is remarkable value. I realise I risk losing some of the audience at this point, as it’s a car that costs $255,800 plus on-roads in standard guise and $284,200 (+ORCs) as the optioned-up test car you see here.
However, while cost is absolute – and the RS Q8 Performance undoubtedly costs a lot – but value is relative and, as will become clear, there’s a case to be made that this monster SUV is very good value indeed.
As the name suggests, the Performance is a faster, sharper version of the RS Q8. Changes are relatively mild: an extra 30kW/50Nm is extracted from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and the full suite of otherwise optional chassis equipment is standard.
This includes the world’s largest carbon-ceramic brakes, measuring 440mm with 10-piston calipers at the front, all-wheel steering, quattro sport differential, active anti-roll bars and adaptive air suspension that can lower the ride height by 25mm compared to a regular Q8.
In addition to lighter 23-inch wheels wearing massive 295/35 tyres, the result is the RS Q8 Performance is the quickest SUV to ever lap the Nürburgring, though this is a bit like the Olympics having the heavyweight weightlifters run the 400m.
As you’d hope given the price tag, the standard equipment list is extensive, with heated and ventilated sports seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and dynamic LED headlights with laser lighting.
There’s soft-close doors, a power tailgate and a whole lot more. However, Audi provides plenty of opportunity to spend over and above the standard fare, as the near $30,000 of options on this test car illustrates.
There are plenty of no-cost colours to choose from, but Sakhir Gold and the pictured Ascari Blue are $1800 extra, or you can pay $11,700 for Audi Exclusive colours. The RS design package plus adds lots of Alcantara and Dinamica (the same thing by a different name).
That’ll sting you for $4100, while the Matt carbon and black exterior styling package is another $9800, the Sensory package, with a 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo and front seat massager is $9700, carbon interior inlays are $2300 – it quickly adds up.
Happily, the RS Q8 feels like an expensive car. Some of Audi’s recent interiors have been underwhelming in terms of the materials used, but while the design is familiar, this cabin has an appropriately expensive vibe.
Space is ample, in the rear and in the boot, and while all the HVAC controls are in a touchscreen, it’s a dedicated offering, so there’s no need to wade through menus. Every button you need may be a digital button, but it’s always there.
The other thing that quickly adds up are the numbers on the speedo when you floor the throttle. The RS Q8 Performance can hit 100km/h in 3.6 seconds thanks to 471kW at 6000rpm and 850Nm from 2300-4500rpm.
It’s Audi’s most powerful production engine ever. Less talked about but potentially useful is that it’s also rated to tow 3500kg with a 350kg down ball load, though fuel consumption might be a fraction high when hauling heavy.
A lighter, more free-flowing exhaust liberates plenty of V8 noise and the acceleration is relentless, the engine shrugging off the 2275kg kerb weight with ease. The gearbox is snappy enough with its shifts too.
And while you can smell how hard those enormous brakes are working during hard driving, they never wilt. Air suspension gives the RS Q8 a more comfortable ride than the steel spring-equipped RS6 and RS7 I’ve tried.
That translates to only really poor surfaces feeding impacts back into the cabin. It’s an acceptable compromise given the composure the Performance displays when you drive it as intended.
There is an element of “drive by numbers” to the RS Q8 Performance, by which I mean there’s lots of grip and lots of traction and lots of power and lots of brakes, but it’s somewhat point-and-shoot.
This is partly a result of the active anti-roll system, which by largely eradicating body roll – good for keeping all four tyres in contact with the ground to improve grip – it also eradicates the feel.
As it turns out, that ‘feel’ is still there, but you have to dig incredibly deep into the car’s extraordinary reserves to find it. You almost have to abandon common sense and believe this huge car will stick, entering corners at speeds that defy logic and the laws of physics.
It doesn’t feel stretched or out of its comfort zone, it just gets it done. This is why the Audi RS Q8 Performance is relatively good value. The only other two super-SUVs that have display this level of competence are the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Lamborghini Urus.
Those start at around $375,000 and $450,00 respectively and elevate well beyond that with the typical options spend. To be honest, the Audi is probably a fraction below these two, but it is a fraction at an enormous saving.
It’s the cheaper sibling – all these three share a basic platform – but not necessarily the lesser one. Speaking of, Audi has reintroduced the standard RS Q8, but at $230,827 it’s not that much cheaper so go on, treat yourself to the Performance.
You can find out more on the Audi Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Audi Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
