2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance: The King of the Super-SUVs in the UK?

The automotive landscape is constantly evolving, and at the pinnacle of the SUV world, performance models are pushing boundaries like never before. For 2025, Audi has upped the ante with the RS Q8, now exclusively offered in its even more potent "Performance" guise in the UK. This isn't just a powerful SUV; it's a statement, a physics-defying machine that blends supercar-rivaling speed with the practicality and luxury expected of an Audi Q8. But does it truly justify its hefty price tag and dethrone its equally outlandish rivals? Let's delve into a comprehensive review, its detailed specifications, and the UK pricing.

Review: A Beast with Business Casual Attire

From the outside, the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance receives a subtle but effective styling refresh. While still unmistakably an RS Q8, it's matured slightly, bringing it in line with the recently facelifted Q8 and SQ8 models. Expect a redesigned grille, updated LED headlights with new signatures, and fresh wheel designs, including optional 23-inch 'Y'-spoke alloys. The Performance model further distinguishes itself with matt carbon detailing across the exterior, giving it a more aggressive, yet still understated, presence compared to some of its more visually outlandish competitors like the Lamborghini Urus (with which it shares much of its underpinnings).

Step inside, and you're greeted by a cabin that is a masterclass in modern Audi design and luxurious appointments. The five-seat interior largely mirrors the standard Q8, but with crucial RS-specific enhancements. Sportier, more aggressively bolstered front seats hold you firmly in place during spirited driving, while RS logos are tastefully sprinkled throughout the cabin, from the steering wheel to the floor mats and sills. The dual haptic touchscreens – a 10.1-inch unit for infotainment stacked above an 8.6-inch screen for climate control – dominate the center console. While visually sleek, some might find the haptic feedback less intuitive than physical buttons, and the screens are prone to fingerprints. However, the overall build quality is exemplary, with premium materials and a generally sophisticated atmosphere. Passenger and cargo space remain generous, making it a surprisingly practical family hauler despite its performance pedigree.

But the true heart of the RS Q8 Performance lies beneath the bonnet. This isn't just about straight-line speed; it's about a meticulously engineered driving experience. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine is a masterpiece, now producing a staggering 631 bhp (640 PS) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. This makes it the most powerful series-produced combustion engine in Audi Sport's history. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi's renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system, which now features an optimized self-locking center differential for enhanced dynamics.

On the road, the RS Q8 Performance defies its size and weight. The adaptive air suspension, specifically tuned for RS duty, is nothing short of remarkable. In comfort mode, it soaks up road imperfections with surprising civility, making daily commutes genuinely comfortable. Switch to the more aggressive RS driving modes, and the suspension stiffens, body roll is expertly controlled by the electromechanical active roll stabilization (eAWS) system, and the car transforms into a corner-carving machine. While it’s still a heavy SUV, the handling is impressively balanced, and the standard four-wheel steering system significantly enhances agility, making it feel far more nimble than its dimensions suggest, particularly around town.

Acceleration is brutal. Audi claims a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in just 3.6 seconds, and independent tests have confirmed its ability to match even the significantly more expensive Lamborghini Urus. The optional RS sport exhaust system amplifies the V8's intoxicating soundtrack, providing a more raucous experience for enthusiasts. Standard ceramic brakes provide immense stopping power, bringing this 2.3-tonne SUV to a halt with impressive efficiency, though some squirming can be felt under extreme braking – a testament to the sheer forces at play.

While the RS Q8 Performance excels in its duality – a comfortable cruiser and a tarmac terror – it's not without minor criticisms. The engine sound, while good, could be a touch more characterful to some ears, and the dual-screen interior, while high-tech, is beginning to show its age compared to newer rivals. Furthermore, the immense performance comes at a cost, both in terms of purchase price and running costs. Fuel economy is predictably dismal, with official figures around 21.9 mpg (UK) and high CO2 emissions.

Ultimately, the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance is an astonishing piece of engineering. It offers a level of performance that challenges dedicated sports cars, wrapped in a luxurious, practical, and undeniably stylish SUV body. It strikes a compelling balance between outright hooliganism and everyday usability, making it a truly desirable, albeit expensive, proposition.

Specifications (UK Model)

Here are some key specifications for the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance in the UK:

Engine & Performance:

• Engine Type: 4.0-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 TFSI with Mild Hybrid System
• Power: 631 bhp (640 PS / 471 kW)
• Torque: 627 lb-ft (850 Nm)
• Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic Automatic
• Drivetrain: Permanent Quattro All-Wheel Drive with optimized self-locking center differential
• 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 3.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 174 mph (280 km/h) electronically limited (up to 190 mph with optional Dynamic Package Plus)
• Fuel Economy (Combined WLTP): Approximately 21.9 mpg
• CO2 Emissions (WLTP): Approximately 295 g/km

Chassis & Dynamics:

• Suspension: RS-tuned Adaptive Air Suspension Sport with controlled damping
• Active Roll Stabilization: Electromechanical Active Roll Stabilization (eAWS) (standard)
• Brakes: Standard RS ceramic braking system (ventilated composite discs: 420mm front, 370mm rear)
• Steering: Four-wheel steering
• Wheels: Standard 22-inch 10-spoke star design Audi Sport alloy wheels (optional 23-inch wheels available)
• Tyres: High-performance Pirelli P Zero tyres (available options)

Dimensions & Capacity:

• Seating Capacity: 5
• Boot Space (Seats Up): 605 litres (expandable with rear seats folded)
• Curb Weight: Approximately 2,350 kg

Interior & Technology:

• Infotainment: Dual MMI touch response screens (10.1-inch and 8.6-inch)
• Instrument Cluster: 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit with RS-specific layout
• Sound System: Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System with Dolby Atmos (standard)
• Head-up Display: Standard
• Seats: Perforated Valcona leather RS sport seats with honeycomb design
• Climate Control: 4-zone electronic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats (heated rear seats with Carbon Vorsprung trim)
• Lighting: Darkened HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and digital OLED rear lights

Safety & Driver Assistance:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control
• Parking system plus with 360° camera

Price (UK)

The 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance commands a premium price tag in the UK, reflecting its status as a top-tier performance SUV. As of early 2025, the starting On-The-Road (OTR) price for the Audi RS Q8 Performance is approximately £137,280.

However, it's important to note that this is a starting price. Audi offers a comprehensive list of optional extras and higher trim levels (such as the Carbon Black and Carbon Vorsprung editions), which can significantly increase the final price. For example, a well-specified RS Q8 Performance Carbon Vorsprung model can easily push the price upwards of £148,000 to £160,000, depending on chosen options like specialized paint finishes, interior packages, and advanced driver assistance features.

Considering its performance capabilities and luxurious appointments, the RS Q8 Performance offers a compelling alternative to more exotic, and often more expensive, super-SUVs on the market, such as the Lamborghini Urus and certain high-performance variants of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. While it remains a substantial investment, for those seeking a practical, luxurious, and blisteringly fast SUV for the UK roads, the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance undoubtedly holds its place at the very top of the segment.