Currently reading: Audi Q8 receives 335bhp petrol V6

Luxury SUV's engine line-up swells with introduction of 3.0-litre unit and lower-powered version of diesel V6

Audi has increased the range of powertrains available in its flagship Audi Q8 luxury SUV. 

Buyers can now order the BMW X6 rival in 55 TFSI guise, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 making 335bhp and 369lb ft. 

A 0-62mph time of 5.9sec and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph mark an improvement over the 6.3sec and 144mph achieved by the 3.0-litre diesel V6 available from launch in the 50 TDI.

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Aided by a 48V mild hybrid system, the new engine achieves an average of 31.0-31.7mpg on the combined WLTP cycle.

At speeds of between 34 and 99mph, the Q8 can deactivate its engine for up to 40sec if the driver doesn’t touch the throttle. An energy recovery system during deceleration further improves economy. 

Also now available in the Q8 is a lower-powered version of Audi’s 3.0-litre diesel V6. With its 228bhp and 369lb ft, the 45 TDI model achieves a top speed of 144mph and an improved average of 42.2-44.1mpg. 0-62mph is dispatched in 7.1 seconds. 

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The new Q8 models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive as standard. 

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Doesn’t offer as much pace or fun-factor as some in the class, but does technology, dynamic versatility, refinement and cruising range better than most.

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UK pricing hasn't been announced, but the 55 TFSI is already available in Germany from €76,300 (£66,830) and the 45 TDI from €73,300 (£64,200).

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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BubblesK 19 February 2019

I agree Deputy

And, many people will us the 0-60 in under 5 seconds when pulling onto a motorway or 70mph limit. It is nice to have a car with guts.

Deputy 19 February 2019

Peter, Peter....

Want not need.  My watch still works at 1000m below sea level and is handmade by experts but a £5 Casio is more accurate.  My phone is more powerful than the Apollo computers but all I do is take bad selfies with it.  If you have ANY belongings that don't directly relate to food, shelter or warmth then why have you got those.....?

Peter Cavellini 19 February 2019

Power corrupts.......?

 How much performance do we really need?, now, come on, be honest, in most People’s lives Day to Day driving is a trudge, barely doing 30mph for five minutes at a time, even on Motorway you get hold ups and your only supposed to do 70mph, so, building Vehicles that do 150mph, 0-60 in under 5seconds are a bit pointless, and to be blunt it’s the mines bigger, faster than yours, that they are sold on, how many of us have maxed our Car?, have done that at least once a month? , not many I’ll bet, but, it’s the old statement, buy what you like, what you want, it’s your money........

xxxx 19 February 2019

Peter Peter

It only seems like nov 30th 2018 you were telling us your M3 run "sweet as a nut". How much performance did you want