AUDI RS Q8

Audi’s 600PS flagship proves to be very entertaining. And not just in a straight line…

- SIMRAN RASTOGI

Type 3,996cc twin-turbo V8

Max power 600PS @6,000rpm

Max torque 800Nm @2,200-4,500rpm

LxWxH(mm) 5,012x2,190x1,694

Price ₹2.37 crore, on road Mumbai

OD Rating ★★★★★

Addictive power, handling, ride, practicality, fairly long standard features list

More expensive than an equivalent Porsche

There’s a line of cars up ahead, puzzling on this stretch, with an entire lane free to the side. As I nudge the nose of the RS Q8 around to take a peek, I see why – a dip in the road has collected enough rain water to make some crossovers think twice. Which is when I remember the off-road mode raises this SUV by 50mm, plenty for this situation. On the other side of the mini-lake, a quick glance in the rear-view mirror reveals a few more emboldened souls venturing forward, before I give in to temptation and leave the typically-Mumbai scene far behind in a cloud of furiously misted rain and a lingering V8 snarl.