Audi has shown off its new Q8, albeit in concept guise, at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. This concept previews an all-new flagship luxury SUV as well as Audi's all-new design language.

The Audi Q8 will be the brand's flagship product and combines the space of an SUV, with the style associated with a coupe. Built on the Audi Q7 platform, the Q8 features a number of changes. The looks, for example, open a new chapter in Audi's design language and we'll start to see elements from the front-end making their way across the Audi Q SUV range. From behind, the Q8 looks futuristic, with the entire rear being dominated by a wrap around brake light. A similar rear design can be found on the Lamborghini Asterion and Porsche Mission E concept, favourable company for the Audi Q8 to be in.

Key details

This Audi Q8 concept is powered by an efficient plug-in hybrid setup with 330 kW and 700 Nm of torque. With a displacement of 3.0-litres, the engine makes 245 kW and 500 Nm on its own. The electric motor provides 100 kW and 330 Nm. Power reaches the wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi claims 5.4 seconds in the dash to 100 kph. The big news is the fuel consumption claim at 2.3 L/100 km, which if achievable, is terrific. The battery has a capacity of 17.9 kWh which provides a range of 60 km and a full charge will take around 2.5 hours.

Given how the market has reacted to Audi's SUVs (every third car sold by Audi is a Q), it makes perfect business sense to expandits product offering. The Q8 is going to be a sportier and more luxurious version of the Q7and will feature a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. It's built on the MLB platform, which underpins the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and its Q7 sibling.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler announced that the SUV would be aimed at markets such as the US, China and the Middle East, where big coupe-styled SUVs have proven popular. At this stage, we reckon we'll see a production version of the Q8 on the road in 2018. Audi claims its Q8 concept is 'near production-ready', but we don't think the styling will be as outlandish as this showstopper.

Further Reading

Watch the Audi Q7 take on the Volvo XC90 here

Read a review of the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

Find an Audi Q7 for sale

Meet the Audi SQ7

Audi Q8 Video