Next Sunday, when the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) flags off the motor shows of 2017, Audi will display a whole new segment. Going by the looks of it, the Q8 concept is the most dramatic thing to come out of Ingolstadt since the Audi R10 Lemans race car landed from Naboo.
Design Sketch
Audi’s press release describes it as something that Placed somewhere between “a synthesis of the emotional styling of a coupé and the spaciousness that typifies an SUV”, the near-production study will open up a new segment for the full-size category.
Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte says, “We believe an important aspect of this showcar is that it offers a spacious interior with four equally comfortable seats, even with the flat roof line.” The octagonal Singleframe is considerably wider than that in Audi’s current production models. It is positioned well forward, with three-dimensional sculpting. The aggressive facade brings to mind the Maserati Alfieri concept of last year. They say, the very flat but very wide C-post, and the prominent, flared shoulders above the wheels remind one of the Ur-quattro sports coupe of the eighties (the red car above). Anyway, these balanced proportions equally emphasise the front and rear wheels, in the true quattro spirit!
