Audi boss confirms Range Rover Sport-rivaling Q8

A top Audi executive has confirmed that the automaker is working on a new range-

topping Q8 SUV that will rival vehicles like the BMW X6 and Land Rover Range Rover

 Sport.

Although we've heard rumblings about the Q8 before, Audi has never officially 

confirmed the project. However, that changed this week when Audi Wolfgang 

Dürheimer revealed to Autocar that the Q8 is moving quickly along the production 

track.

Set to ride on Volkswagen's MLB platform, the Q8 will essentially be positioned as a 

high-riding version of Audi's flagship A8 sedan. The Q8 will adopt a sloping roofline

, but should offer far more interior room than typical coupe-like SUVs and even Audi's 

own Q7.

"We can go bigger than we have with the Q7, and we can all see that this sector is 

growing," Dürheimer said. "Audi has the biggest SUV in the group, and I don't see any

 reason to change that."

The Q8 will reportedly be powered by a range of six- and eight-cylinder engines, 

including an RS version with 550 horsepower on tap. For those more interested in 

efficiency, Audi is also planning diesel and plug-in variants of the Q8.

Look for the Q8 to launch sometime before 2017.