Technical and styling changes incoming; SQ8 temporarily assumes leadership role.

MID-LIFE updates for the most opulent of Audi’s internal combustion engine-wed sports utility wagons will avail to New Zealand, but exactly when and for how much has yet to be shared.

Audi New Zealand has also yet to spell out how many of the Q8’s current configurations will carry over.

As it stands, the family starts with a 55 TFSi - presently in  limited edition for the same $164,990 as the stock item - and tops with the $260,990 RSQ8, powered by a 4.0-litre V8 in 441kW/800Nm tune. 

Between those are the SQ8, also V8 but detuned to 373kW/770Nm for $211,990, and the PHEV $173,990 TFSi-e with 340kW and 770Nm from a 3.0-litre V6 related to the unit in the base pure petrol car.

With the new family, the sixes and SQ8 replicate but the RSQ8 does not - but only for now. Audi assures it’ll break cover at a later date.

The Auckland-based national operation timed announcement of the revisions to an information share from Germany.

In case there is confusion, the changes are specific to the ICE car, a coupe-bodied derivative of the Q7, and not the fully electric e-tron wagon that renamed as Q8 e-tron earlier this year. The refreshed Q8 e-tron with improved battery size, technology and increased power and range is also en route.

The single frame grille being octagonal on the new models, with vertical teardrop-pattern inlays on regular models or L-shaped graphics for the S line and SQ8 high-performance derivatives, lends a clear styling change over incumbents. 

Larger air intakes sit below the grille, while the 'mask' for the Singleframe grille and headlights is rendered in high-gloss black, and the colours and finishes for the skid plates, door trims and diffuser depend on specification.

Q8 can now be fitted with HD Matrix LED technology for the headlamps, as well as 'laser light' if that’s desired. The rear lamp clusters are now digital OLED, a first for this type. The updated car wears the new corporate identity of Audi in the form of two-dimensional rings.

Altered interior trims and upholsteries also introduce, as well as three additional metallic gold, blue and red paint finishes and there are also fresh designs of 21- to 23-inch alloy wheels.

The range of apps installed within the Q8's infotainment system is expanded, with those from third-party providers, like Spotify and Amazon Music, including. the car enables over-the-air updates but it’s not yet clear if that will be for NZ use; other models including the just launched Q4 are thwarted in that respect. 

Audi has also upgraded the surroundings display for the advanced driver assist safety systems, with full HD quality in the Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster.

The SQ8 continues to be marked out by distinctive exterior details, including the classic aluminium look for the door mirrors, and it gets a sporty interior rendering too.

Suspension on the standard models is steel-sprung with variable damper control, with potential to update to adaptive air suspension. All-wheel steering, for greater agility, is optional on all models except SQ8, where it's standard-fit. All editions are, of course, quattro all-wheel drive. 

The entry engine achieves 48-volt mild-hybrid fuel-saving technology but with 253kW power against 250kW previously, though torque remains at 500Nm.

Outputs for the SQ8 and PHEV appear to have also lifted slighted, the first raising to 378kW. A sprint from 0-100kmh in 4.1 seconds is claimed.