Move Over, Porsche: There’s A New Nürburgring SUV King

After breaking the Nürburgring lap record in the compact car class, Audi has now shattered yet another record at the Green Hell, with the new RS Q8 performance becoming the fastest production SUV to ever race around the track. With an official time of 7:36.698 minutes, the new RS Q8 is nearly six seconds faster than the outgoing model, which went around the track in 7:42.253 in 2019.

Since then, several competitors have vanquished the RS Q8 with considerably quicker lap times. Audi has returned to the top of the pile, thanks to several improvements and racing driver Frank Stippler behind the wheel. “The RS Q8 performance owes its lap record to the interplay of the V8 engine and chassis components as well as the passion of the Audi Sport GmbH team for absolute performance,” commented Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport.

RS Q8 More Potent Than Ever Thanks To Upgrades

Even though it’s just a facelift, Audi has significantly reworked the RS Q8, with myriad under-the-skin updates making the SUV even sharper and more dynamically talented than before. The newly introduced performance variant develops 631 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 0-62 mph sprint of 3.6 seconds. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, but the automaker will increase this to 190 mph upon request. The automaker claims the RS Q8 performance has the most powerful combustion engine ever fitted to an Audi Sport model.

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Dynamically, the RS Q8 benefits from standard electromechanical active roll stabilization (eAWS). The Ingolstadt-based brand claims the system reduces lateral movements, increasing stability at high speed. The system relies on a small electric motor that pushes the suspension stabilizer in opposite directions when cornering. RS ceramic brakes are standard on the performance trim, while customers can also choose from new lightweight 23-inch wheels that reduce unsprung mass by 44 lbs.

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These Are The SUVs The Audi RS Q8 Performance Had To Beat

SUVs aren’t known for their dynamic prowess, but several high-performance examples are the exception to the rule. The seven may be slower than the new RS Q8 performance but are still much faster than some sports cars, and all are capable of a sub-eight-minute lap. If you’re wondering why some vehicles have two official lap times, that has to do with the fact that some lap times were performed on the older 12.8-mile record, and not the newer 12.94-mile lap record that was introduced in 2019.

1. Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT (2021): 7:33.95/7:38.925
2. Audi RS Q8 (2019): 7:42.253
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (2024): 7:45.59
4. Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic+ (2018): 7:49.369/7:54.40
5. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (2018): 7:51.40
6. Cupra Formentor VZ5 (2023): 7:58.99
7. Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2016): 7:59.70