Audi Q8 – performance and 0-60mph time
The Q8 has a decent turn of pace in all its forms, with even the diesel reaching 62mph in 6.1sec
Although it’s far from a necessity for the Q8 to be fast, every model has a decent turn of pace. In fact, even the 50 TDI, which uses a 3-litre V6 diesel engine, will cause some hot hatches trouble off the line – it gets to 62mph in 6.1sec and runs to a 150mph top speed.
The petrol 55 TFSI also uses a 3-litre V6, and though it’s not as torquey as the diesel, its higher peak power cuts the 62mph sprint down to 5.6 sec, with the top speed limited to 155mph.
Aside from the S and RS models, the 55 TFSI e is the most powerful Q8 you can buy, coming with a petrol V6 supported by an electric motor. The extra weight of the hybrid system means it's not quite as quick as the pure-petrol 55 TFSI, but it still reaches 62mph in 5.7sec and reaches a 149mph top speed.
Beyond the figures, the hybrid element does bring a useful hit of electric thrust at low speed to mask any lag in the powertrain, allowing the Q8 to sprint briskly off the mark before the V6 gets into its stride. Once up and running, however, the hit from the e-motor is less impactful, and V6 strains a little more when shifting the e TFSI’s mass (2415kg) along. There’s plenty of grunt for effortless everyday driving, but the 389bhp peak figure flatters it somewhat.
