Report: RS Q8 to Lead Audi Sport SUV Charge
Since it was first shown earlier this year, rumors about a potential RS version of the Audi Q8 have burned like wildfire and now, Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann has again fanned the flames.
“Today we have a product line-up which we are working on which will be expanded in more prestige segments and bodystyles which are sellable around the world, SUVs,” Winkelmann told the UK’s Auto Express.
Hardly surprising, since Winkelmann has, more or less, been saying the same thing since he changed Quattro GmbH to Audi Sport late last year. What’s more surprising, though, are his opinions on the Q7.
“The Q7 is now in a phase of its life cycle which, in my opinion, to be profitable is too late to step in,” he said. “But a lot of markets are demanding bigger cars.”
SEE ALSO: Audi Q8 Spotted Running the Nurburgring
Since the Q8 will be based on the same platform as the Q7, and since an RS Q5 would hardly be the bigger car Winkelmann is hinting at, it now seems like a safe bet that the RS Q8 is on its way. Better yet, it sounds like it’s specifically being designed with the US (and probably China, too) in mind.
And just to put any hopes to bed, Winkelmann put the last nail in a diesel version of an RS SUV.
“Diesel is not compatible with a world car; there are countries where you cannot sell the diesel,” said Winkelmann. “The other key aspects for us are comfort, quality and safety. Here we don’t compromise and even if we do SUVs they have to have all of this.”
[Source: Auto Express]
A version of this story originally appeared on Fourtitude
Sebastien is a roving reporter who covers Euros, domestics, and all things enthusiast. He has been writing about the automotive industry for four years and obsessed with it his whole life. He studied English at the Wilfrid Laurier University. Sebastien also edits for AutoGuide's sister sites VW Vortex, Fourtitude, Swedespeed, GM Inside News, All Ford Mustangs, and more.
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