Audi fires back into the high-performance crossover market with the all-new RS Q8 Performance.
This mid-cycle refresh boasts the most powerful internal combustion engine ever offered by the brand.
The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 delivers a staggering 640 ps (631 hp/471 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque, outpacing the standard RS Q8’s 600 ps (592 hp/441 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft).
The result? A 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 280 kph (174 mph), eclipsing the standard RS Q8’s 3.8 seconds and 250 kph (155 mph).
While the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance boasts impressive specs on paper, it faces stiff competition from even faster high-performance SUVs.
Audi’s detuned engine, sharing its base with the Lamborghini Urus, limits the RS Q8 Performance from truly topping the charts.
The Lamborghini Urus Performante, for example, rockets from 0-to-62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds, while the Ferrari Purosangue boasts a naturally aspirated V12 with a staggering 715 horsepower.
Despite the limitations imposed by its corporate cousin, tuners are already developing performance upgrades to unleash the true potential of the RS Q8 Performance’s engine.
On the bright side, the Audi’s design arguably outshines the Lamborghini Urus, offering a more attractive option for those seeking a head-turning high-performance SUV.