The facelifted Audi Q8 has arrived in South Africa, again available in both petrol and diesel flavours (but now in new Platinum Edition and Black Edition form, too)…
The facelifted Audi Q8 has quietly touched down in South Africa, with the local line-up expanding from 2 to 4 derivatives (excluding Audi Sport wares, that is) thanks to the launch of fresh Platinum Edition and Black Edition variants.
As before, Ingolstadt’s largest coupé-style SUV is available with both petrol and diesel powertrains. The 45 TDI’s 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel motor again offers 183 kW and 600 Nm to all 4 wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the 55 TFSI’s turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 (still featuring a 48V mild-hybrid system and an 8-speed auto) likewise generates an unchanged 250 kW and 500 Nm.
That said, it’s interesting to note the 45 TDI’s listed 0-100 kph time slows by a tenth to 7.1 seconds, while the 55 TFSI’s improves by 3-tenths to 5.6 seconds. In addition, the oil-burning derivative’s maximum speed increases slightly to 226 kph, while the petrol variant again tops out at 250 kph.
So, how much does the facelifted Audi Q8 cost in Mzansi? Well, thanks to a heads-up from the ever-resourceful folks over at duoporta.com, we know the Q8 45 TDI Platinum Edition is priced from R1 968 700, while the Q8 55 TFSI Platinum Edition kicks off at R2 015 400.
Meanwhile, the Q8 45 TDI Black Edition starts at R2 011 700, with the Q8 55 TFSI Black Edition available from R2 058 400. As a reminder, the outgoing Q8 45 TDI was priced from R1 725 200, with the pre-facelift Q8 55 TFSI offered from R1 768 600, though the new derivatives appear more generously specified than the variants they replace.
For instance, the Platinum Edition grade includes features such as “S line” exterior styling, 22-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension sport, adaptive cruise control, Audi virtual cockpit plus, a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system, “Valcona” leather trim, 4-zone climate control, powered (and heated) front seats, a powered tailgate and a panoramic glass roof.
Meanwhile, the Black Edition furthermore gains items like dark 22-inch alloys, the Black styling package plus (including ebony-hued Audi badges), a privacy tint for the rear windows and a black finish for the side-mirror caps, grille surround and roof rails.
Both grades can optionally be upgraded with 23-inch wheels, while other paid extras include all-wheel steering (R26 800), digital OLED taillights (R23 000) and HD matrix LED headlamps with laser lights and LED taillamps (R19 500). Inside, buyers can specify uprated sports seats (R25 500), front-seat ventilation (including a massage function, for R36 000), a head-up display (R32 500) and even a night-vision assistant (R49 900).
There’s no sign yet of the refreshed RSQ8 (nor the likewise V8-powered SQ8), though considering this updated Performance-badged flagship was revealed as recently as June 2024, it may well still be a number of months away. For now, the pre-facelift RSQ8 is still listed at R2 762 900.
As a reminder, the Q8 was revealed in mid-2018, before arriving in South Africa in May 2019. The facelifted Q8 was unwrapped in September 2023, sporting a revised exterior design (we drove it at the international launch in Cape Town). Year to date at the end of September 2024, Audi SA has registered 87 units locally, while 188 examples were sold in Mzansi in 2023.
How much does the facelifted Audi Q8 cost in SA?
Audi Q8 45 TDI Platinum Edition – R1 968 700
Audi Q8 45 TDI Black Edition – R2 011 700
Audi Q8 55 TFSI Platinum Edition – R2 015 400
Audi Q8 55 TFSI Black Edition – R2 058 400
The prices above include Audi’s 1-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
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