The Abt Audi SQ8 Develops 503bhp, Nearly 1000Nm

Anyone wanting a fast Audi Q8 has - up until recently - had two main options. Buy the SQ8 TDI, or hang on until the even more powerful RSQ8 arrives.

We say ‘up until recently’, as a third option has now emerged. German tuner Abt Sportsline has just revealed an upgrade programme for the SQ8, and the raw numbers are a little bit scary.

The twin-turbo diesel V8 with its lag-killing electric compressor is already good for 429bhp and 664lb ft of torque, but once Abt is done with it, the 4.0-litre unit kicks out 503bhp and 715lb ft of torque. Of if you’d prefer, that’s 970Nm. Crikey.

With the extra grunt, the Abt SQ8 will charge from 0-62mph in 4.45 seconds. About the same as a Porsche Cayman S with PDK, to put that in some sort of context.

So that the exterior reflects all that under-bonnet brawn, Abt can add a new splitter, sides skirts and a diffuser. It sits lower than the standard SQ8 on 23-inch wheels for extra silliness.

Although we’re not 100 per cent sure on what’s been changed in terms of pipework, we don’t know that there have been some exhaust tweaks. As seen in a new video from Auditography, it sounds a lot fruitier than before.

Do you like the look of what’s been done here, or would you rather the standard SQ8?