New Audi RS Q8 2021 pricing and specs detailed: BMW X6 M Competition rival gets ready to rumble

Audi Australia has confirmed pricing and full specification for the high-performance flagship of its SUV range, the RS Q8, which arrives in showrooms in October.

The RS Q8 is priced from $208,500 plus on-road costs, making it $43,000 dearer than the Q8 large SUV’s previous flagship, the performance-focused SQ8.

Interestingly, the RS Q8 is actually $7500 and $15,500 cheaper than the mechanically related RS6 Avant wagon and RS7 Sportback liftback respectively.

Like those models, the RS Q8 is motivated by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that punches out 441kW of power at 6000rpm and 800Nm of torque from 2200-4500rpm, and it comes armed with cylinder deactivation.

This unit is matched to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a rear-biased version of Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive system, as well as a 48V mild-hybrid set-up that has coasting and extended stop-start functionality.

The combination helps the RS Q8 sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in a scant 3.8 seconds while on the way to 200km/h in 13.7s and its electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Standard equipment includes adaptive air suspension with active anti-roll bars, rear-wheel steering, a sports exhaust system, a rear limited-slip differential, metallic paintwork, darkened HD Matrix LED headlights, 23-inch alloy wheels, power-folding side mirrors with heating, soft-close doors, a hands-free power-operated tailgate and black exterior trim.

Inside, 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch touchscreens, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay support, a 730W Bang & Olufsen sound system with 17 speakers, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and start, a wireless smartphone charger, power-adjustable front sports seats with heating and cooling, heated rear seats, a sports steering wheel, power-operated sunblinds, illuminated scuff plates, Valcona leather upholstery and extended aluminium trim feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to front and rear autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep and steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, tyre pressure monitoring, surround-view cameras and front and rear parking sensors, among others.

Options for BMW X6 M Competition ($213,900) rival include a carbon-ceramic brakes package that replaces the standard 420mm steel discs with 440mm rotors. Either way, the rear discs measure 370mm in diameter, while the front rotors are paired with 10-piston callipers.