Calm and also the storm

The Audi RS Q8 switches personalities at the press of a button. Cruising on both roads and rough terrain just got easier

- HORMAZD SORABJEE

If you've ever dreamt of supercar performance, but with the practicality to survive a Mumbai monsoon or a Goa weekend, the Audi RS Q8 Performance might be your match. Priced at ₹2.49 crore (ex-showroom), the SUV has had a mild facelift and been granted the rare ability to switch personalities. So, it goes from howling V8 beast to a calm luxury cruiser.

The RS Q8 Performance is the most powerful Audi RS model. Under the hood is the familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now boosted to produce 640hp and 850Nm. That's 40hp more than before. It weighs over two tonnes, but this SUV can sprint from 0-100kmph in just 3.6 seconds. Audi claims it can hit a top speed of 250kph. But de-restrict it and, on the right road with the right amount of madness, you're looking at 305kmph.