A new model joins the Audi family. Meet the Audi Q8, seen here testing in Scandinavia. It's a super SUV which will be taking on the Range Rover Sport and BMW X6.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

We'll get an official first look at this new model at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show, but in the meantime, this prototype gives an indication of what Audi has been up to. Essentially it's an Audi Q7-based model with a rising roofline. 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 Q7, and 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.

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