Is the New Audi RS Q8 Performance A Cut-Price Lamborghini Urus SE?

The revamped version of the Audi RS Q8 high-performance SUV was introduced to the world this week, alongside its even more powerful sibling, the RS Q8 Performance. Meanwhile, over in Italy, the new version of the Lamborghini Urus made its debut in April. The Urus SE is the only remaining member of the range, and it’s a plug-in hybrid of all things. While the RS Q8 Performance starts at $167,000, the Urus SE is in an entirely different league with an entry-level price of $245,000. However, despite their price difference, there may be more similarities between these two luxury SUVs than you might think. Let’s compare the key features of the new RS Q8 Performance and Urus SE to find out whether the former is really a bargain version of the latter.

Performance: The Fast & The Slightly Faster

In terms of performance, the Urus SE has an edge over the RS Q8 thanks to its hybrid powertrain: its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 620 hp on its own, but it is supplemented by an electric motor producing 192 hp, for a total power output of 789 hp. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite being an SUV, the Urus still maintains a sporty character, with a focus on stability when cornering and responsive steering. Thanks to air springs on all four corners, the Urus’ ride height is adjustable based on the drive mode currently selected, of which a total of six are available: Neve, Terra, Sabbia. Strada, Sport and Corsa (Italian for Snow, Dirt, Sand, Road, Sport and Race). According to Lamborghini, the Urus can reach 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and hit a top speed of 193.9 mph.

The RS Q8 does not have a hybrid powertrain, but it does have the most powerful series-produced internal combustion engine in the history of Audi Sport: also a twin-turbo V8, with a power output of 631 hp (nearly 40 hp more than the standard RS Q8). The V8 is paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and a permanent quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system. 40% of power is distributed to the front axle, while 60% goes to the rear. Like its stablemate, the RS Q8, the RS Q8 Performance comes with an adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, which provides a comfortable ride without sacrificing the car’s sporty feel. This is standard in both models, while an eAWS (electromechanical active roll stabilization) system is available as an option to minimize lateral movements and improve the car’s stability.

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The RS Q8 Performance sports a newly designed, lighter exhaust system, which contributes to its increased power output and produces a sporty, aggressive sound in keeping with the car’s character. And for drivers who want to upgrade their exhaust even further, the RS sport exhaust system is also available as an option, distinguishing itself from the standard exhaust thanks to its glossy black tailpipes. The RS Q8 Performance can reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, which can be increased to 174 or 190 mph as an optional extra.

Design: A New Look On Both Sides

The Urus SE’s design upgrades include new bumpers and diffusers, while the hood has received a makeover, with more creases and a power-dome style. The grille is both taller and wider, and the adaptive LED headlights have a narrow, flowing C shape, giving the Urus’ front end a sleeker look. The rear end has also been restyled, with a hexagonal pattern mesh element connecting the taillight clusters; both rear spoilers are now more prominent as well. In terms of size, the new Urus is slightly longer than its predecessor at 201.7 inches, thanks to its revamped design (the wheelbase remains the same at 118.2 inches).

There is a very wide choice of paint finishes, with over 100 colors available. Several of them are new additions for 2024, including the striking Arancio Egon (orange) and Bianco Sapphirus (white). The Urus SE comes with 23-inch Galanthus alloy wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero tires, but several other wheel choices are available ranging between 21 and 23 inches; Pirelli Scorpion 2 winter tires are available as an option.

The RS Q8 Performance also comes with 23-inch alloy wheels, an exclusive option not available on the RS Q8. Both variants come with updated design cues including a reimagined version of the iconic Singleframe grille, with a honeycomb structure featuring three-dimensional cells. The distinctive oval tailpipes which mark them out as RS models, as well as a rear diffuser split down the middle by a reflector.

Some styling elements distinguish the Performance version from its standard sibling, such as the matte gray wing mirrors, front spoiler, and rear diffuser, which come in black on the RS Q8. The standard color option for the brake calipers is also gray on the Performance, but red and blue are both available alternatives. The Performance comes with ceramic brakes as standard, while on the RS Q8 they are available as an option.

Interior & Tech: Screens, Lights And Sustainability

When it comes to interior choices, three different colors are available for contrasting stitching the RS Q8 (red, gray, or blue); the blue package is exclusively available on the RS Q8 Performance. The colored stitching appears on the center console, steering wheel, floor mats, and seat belt edges (when selecting red or gray; when choosing the blue package, the seat belts are entirely in Ocean Blue as a bonus feature). Being a hybrid car, the RS Q8 had to include a nod to sustainability; an eco-friendly material called Dinamica, made from recycled plastic fibers, is used in the center console and gear lever, and is also available as an option for the door and center armrests. There are some additional interior features exclusive to the RS Q8 Performance. Diagonal brushed black aluminum is available as a choice of material for decorative inlays; an LED projects the “RS Performance” logo onto the ground when entering the car, welcoming the driver in. There is also a shift light indicator that recalls the world of motorsport: in the virtual cockpit, a light flashes indicating the best time to shift gears, in a similar way to the displays used in racing cars.

Meanwhile, the Urus SE has a revamped interior with a wide, spacious cabin that removes the separation between driver and passenger. 47 different color combinations and four embroidery options are available for the upholstery, with even more custom options available through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam bespoke program. The seats’ design has been reworked, with a Y-shaped motif that echoes the outgoing Urus’ headlights. The tech is, of course, state-of-the-art, including the newest HMI (Human Machine Interface) infotainment system with graphics inspired by the Revuelto. The system is controlled by a 12.3-inch touchscreen; there is also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the same size as the Audi’s virtual cockpit screen.

Conclusion: Smaller Price Tag, Same Performance?

The RS Q8 Performance and Urus SE boast similar performance figures, being comparable in terms of acceleration and top speed without an electronic limiter. This is despite the fact that their power output differs by 158 hp in favor of the Lambo. Both come with luxurious, customizable interiors and plenty of space for passengers to sit in comfort, as well as a host of futuristic tech features.

With a price tag nearly $80,000 more (roughly the price of an entire BMW M3), a case can be made for the Audi RS Q8 Performance as a cheaper alternative to the Urus SE, with similar levels of luxury and performance. Even better yet, a case can be made that the RS Q8 Performance is the thinking man’s Lamborghini Urus. Even in this price bracket, $80k is a lot of money, and the Urus SE may not be doing enough to justify its higher asking price.