Audi RS Q8

The Audi RS Q8 may have been part of the long line of crossovers on steroids like its German compatriots such as the GLE 63 and the X6 M, but deep down, there's something special about Audi's Nurburgring-honed high performance crossovers that's got the whole world questioning.

What Audi did to the highly questionable Q8 coupe crossover is they sent it to their own personal gym at the Nurburgring, inject it with steroids, give it a dark interior that smells like Axe, firming up the undersides, and voila, you got yourself a coupe crossover on steroids that costs under 130 grand.

The RS Q8, a Q8 on steroids of course, features a muscled up exterior design that makes it easily distinguished from the entire Q8 range, especially its less powerful cousin, the SQ8. Come inside, it still operates like a normal Q8, especially the questionable touch screens that made dirty-fingered speedo boys running scared. It still seats up to five speedo boys, has decent boot space good enough for tailgating parties with the other speedo boys at the parking lot in the middle of a car meet, it's practicality well fit for the Nurburgring-honed coupe crossover that subverts the cliches.

In order to subvert the cliches regarding this crossover, Audi took it to the Nurburgring and lapped it in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. That's faster than the Range Rover Sport and this is how Audi subverted the cliches with the RS Q8.

The secret? The 4.0L TFSi engine with 48-volt main electrical system that produces 600PS of power and 800Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed tiptronic transmission and launch control, it goes from 0-100kph in under four seconds and up to 305kph with the optional extra installed on it. Performance aside, the RS Q8 has variable ground clearance, short overhangs, quattro permanent all-wheel drive,  hill descent control, all-wheel steering, the new RS MODE, air suspension, electronic chassis platform, electromechanical active roll stabilization, and the RS-ceramic brake system, among many others.

With such secrets, you can easily think of the RS Q8 as a cut-price Lamborghini Urus in every tangible way because like the Urus, the Audi RS Q8 is a near-enjoyable crossover that isn't afraid to go fast and dirty at the same time. Of course, while the performance is not meant to engage dogfights with proper sportscars, especially the Audi R8, the RS Q8 is proof that thanks to its Nurburgring credentials, they have created the fastest off-roader (whatever that means) ever made and whether you like it or not, the RS Q8 is proof that there are fast SUVs that love subverting cliches by all means necessary.

Photo: Audi AG