The 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance is a super-SUV that blends brutal V8 engine performance, high-end luxury, and everyday usability into one compelling package. With a 40 litre twin-turbo V8 delivering 640 PS and 850 Nm of torque, and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3.6 seconds, the RS Q8 aims at buyers who want a performance car with substantial space and road presence. This review dives deep into what the RS Q8 Performance offers, where it stands out, and what to keep in mind before you bet on the approximately ₹2.49 crore (ex-showroom) price tag in India.

What Is the RS Q8 – The High-Performance Flagship of Audi’s SUV Lineup

The RS Q8 is the performance variant of the Q8 SUV family, built by Audi Sport GmbH. It combines the SUVs size and practicality with supercar-level power and dynamics. Audi markets it as its SUV-Performance offering: a wide, muscular body, aggressive styling cues, and under-the-skin upgrades that push it far beyond a regular luxury SUV.

In India, the 2025 refresh of the RS Q8 is officially available as the RS Q8 Performance, reflecting Audi’s strategy to offer its top combustion-engine SUV in the premium luxury-SUV segment.

Performance & Powertrain – V8 Muscle With RS DNA

What this means on the road: The RS Q8 is not a typical SUV – it drives like a performance SUV-coupe. The 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds puts some traditional sports cars to shame. It is nimble for its size, thanks to adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, and RS-tuned dynamics. The 850 Nm torque ensures effortless, explosive acceleration, even with a full load.

Given this output, the RS Q8 Performance is currently among the most powerful production SUVs globally, and in India’s luxury-SUV space, it commands top-tier performance credentials.

Design & Exterior – Aggressive, Muscular, Unmistakably RS

The RS Q8 stands out from the regular Q8 with distinctive styling cues:

• Front End: Massive Singleframe grille with honeycomb pattern and RS-specific design, coupled with larger air-intakes and an aggressive front bumper – a clear hint at performance rather than merely luxury.
• Lighting: Updated HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and sharp lighting signatures. The rear features new Digital OLED taillights with customizable patterns.
• Wheels & Stance: Muscular haunches and a wider stance accommodate standard 23-inch RS-specific forged wheels (with 295-section tyres) and feature red brake calipers, with an option for carbon-ceramic brakes.

Verdict on looks: The RS Q8 manages to be both imposing and elegant – its silhouette combines SUV practicality with coupe-SUV aggression. On Indian roads, it commands attention without feeling out of place.

Cabin, Comfort & Features – SUV Comfort Wrapped in RS Sportiness

Inside, the RS Q8 blends luxury finishes with performance-oriented touches:

• Seating: Premium upholstery, often Valcona leather sport-plus seats with RS-embossed headrests and contrast stitching. Ventilation and an optional massage function are available.
• RS Touches: Signature flat-bottom RS steering wheel, sporty aluminium or carbon fibre trims, and a refined but performance-focused ambience.
• Technology & Convenience: Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster with an additional RS layout, dual touchscreen MMI infotainment system, 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System (optional/top-spec), four-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and 360 degree cameras.
• Practical SUV Traits: Generous boot space (605 litres), decent rear-seat space given the coupe-SUV form factor, and adaptive air suspension for variable ride height, aiding both comfort and ingress/egress.

Ride quality & usability: Despite being a performance SUV, the RS Q8 is engineered for daily comfort. Adaptive air suspension smooths out bad surfaces, and active roll stabilisation keeps body motions in check. For Indian roads and highway cruising alike, it delivers a balanced experience – impressive for a V8-powered SUV.

Where RS Q8 Excels – And What to Consider Before Buying

Strengths

• Unmatched Performance: Few SUVs can match the 640 PS and 850 Nm of torque with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds and an optional 305 km/h top speed.
• Luxury & Practicality Blend: It combines super-SUV dynamics with real-world usability: a comfortable 5-seater configuration and a large boot.
• Dynamic Versatility: Adaptive air suspension, quattro AWD with a sport differential, and rear-wheel steering make it highly capable, from city commute to high-speed touring.
• Brand Exclusivity: As an Audi Sport flagship, the RS Q8 carries immense prestige among performance SUV buyers.

Considerations / Trade-offs

• Price: In India, the RS Q8 Performance is currently priced around ₹2.49 crore (ex-showroom), before options and local taxes, placing it significantly above standard luxury SUVs.
• Running Costs: The powerful V8 engine, performance tyres, and high-performance components lead to high fuel consumption and premium service and insurance costs.
• Size & Urban Parking: As a large SUV-coupe, its sheer size and width may complicate urban parking and tight city traffic manoeuvres.
• Fuel Efficiency: The RS Q8 is not designed to be a fuel-efficient daily commuter. Its performance character shines most during spirited driving and long-distance cruising.

Final Verdict: RS Q8 is Not Just an SUV – It Is a Performance Statement

The 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance is one of the boldest and most technically advanced performance-SUVs available in India today. It does not just combine power and luxury; it does so while retaining real-world usability, practicality, and brand demeanour.

For buyers who want more than just badge value – who crave the thrilling rumble of a V8, the dynamics of a sports car, and the versatility of a large SUV – the RS Q8 Performance offers a compelling, if expensive, proposition.

If you want a super-SUV that commands respect, thrills on the open road, and still serves as a daily driver, the RS Q8 Performance is one of the very best you can buy right now.