Audi India expands its V8 lineup with the SQ8, launched at ₹1.78 crore
The SQ8 becomes Audi’s second go-fast SUV offering in India with a 4-litre V8 engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive
The SQ8 sits in the middle of the Q8 range, offering V8 power at ₹1.78 crore
Audi India brings the SQ8 to our shores at a starting price of ₹1.78 crore, with an objective of not only expanding its V8 lineup but to also make available its 4-litre, twin-turbo, V8 engine as a variant that slots between the standard V6 powered Q8 and the higher-strung derivative, the RS Q8. Here’s a look at what this new SQ8 offers to the Indian enthusiasts who seek to pilot a luxury performance SUV.
2026 Audi SQ8 design
The SQ8 largely looks like the RS Q8, but gets subtle ‘S’ design elements in either satin silver or gloss black for the front grille surrounds, air curtains in front bumper, outside rear view mirror caps, skirting garnish and window surrounds as well as rear bumper garnish, tying in with an ‘S’ badge on the tailgate. With the SQ8, the Audi ‘S’ badging finds its way back to the front honeycomb grille. It also packs in Matrix LED headlights upfront and standard fitment along with 22-inch rollers with part-machined and part-painted face. For context, the RS Q8 gets 23-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a subtle yet sporty diffuser for the rear bumper which also has a quad-tailpipe setup in the flanks.
2026 Audi SQ8 cabin and features
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a typical Audi cabin, it’s of course, based on the standard Q8. There are ‘S’ specific touches such as unique embossing on the seat headrests, badging on the steering wheel and on the co-passenger side dashboard. It gets surfaces finished in materials such as Alcantara and satin metallic trim pieces. The 12.3-inch digital cluster gets an ‘S’ theme for the infographics, while the 10.1-inch infotainment and 8.6-inch climate control screens remain unchanged. The front gets sports seats with power adjust and heating function. Audi offers a Bang & Olufsen sound system as an added option.
2026 Audi SQ8 engine and transmission
Under the bonnet of the SQ8, you’ll find a 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 mill (same as the RS Q8, but in a lower state of tune), paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with Quattro all-wheel-drive. It churns out a max output of 500bhp and 770Nm, which is down by 131bhp and 80Nm from four-rings’ flagship SUV model, the RS Q8. It sprints from 0 to 100kmph in a claimed 4.1 seconds.
The SQ8 packs the same engine as the RS Q8, but makes 500bhp and 770Nm, down by 131bhp and 80Nm from the flagship Q8 variant
2026 Audi SQ8 price and alternatives
The SQ8 is launched at an introductory price of ₹1.78 crore and sits below the already existing RS Q8, priced at ₹2.33 crore (all prices are ex-showroom), which is the highest variant available on the Q8. Bookings for the SQ8 had commenced on March 10. It sits in a segment of ‘Luxury Performance SUVs’ which is populated by the likes of the Defender V8 (110), priced from ₹1.40 crore, Porsche Cayenne GTS at ₹1.94 crore and the Range Rover Sport V8, which starts from ₹1.97 crore (all prices are ex-showroom).
