This Audi RS Q8 Has 1,000 HP, Gold Wheels And A $400,000 Price Tag

Happy 130th ABT

Believe it or not, German tuning firm ABT is already 130 years old. Founded in 1896, it didn’t start out by tuning Audis right away, as the German automaker wasn’t established until 1909. Instead, its roots can be traced to building horse-drawn carriages and horseshoes. The blacksmith company later moved into the world of automobiles when founder Johann Abt partnered up with August Horch – the founder of Audi – in 1920.

The rest, they say, is history, and ABT maintains a close relationship with Audi to this day. To celebrate its 130th birthday, it kicked off the Anniversary Trilogy with three very special models released by chapter. The first one was the RS 6-LE 800, followed by the RS 3-630. So, for the final chapter, the company has unveiled the RS Q8-LE 1000.

Cranked to 11

As it is, the Audi RS Q8 Performance is a potent performance crossover. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 packs 630 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, overcoming its over 5,000 lb curb weight by doing 0 to 60 mph sprints in under 3.5 seconds. Of course, there are still those who think it’s not quick enough, so ABT is more than willing to help with that.

Now, there’s a very good reason why the RS Q8-LE 1000 has ‘1000’ in its name. That’s because ABT says its tuned crossover makes ‘about 1,000 hp,’ making the Lamborghini‘s recently-launched Urus SE Performante seem tame. For reference, the Lambo ‘only’ has 801 hp.

It’s able to pack that much punch thanks to the ABT Power R performance upgrade. Included in that package is a stronger turbo, an optimized intercooler, upgraded internals, and even a water/ethanol injection system, among other things. Now 0 to 60 mph times were given, but it’s safe to say that it’ll probably get to that speed faster than a bone-stock RS Q8. As for the top speed, it’s 199 mph.

Other Goodies

Power is nothing without control, which is why it gets a special suspension system dubbed ABT Body Control. It includes the ABT Level Control and ABT eAWS, the latter being a unique adaptive suspension system made specifically for this hot(ter) RS Q8. It probably works over time given that it has to fight physics and keep 5,000 lbs worth of Audi as agile as it could possibly be.

Aero is provided by a front lip, enhanced air intake grilles, hood inserts, a taller rear spoiler, and more aggressive diffusers, all finished in exposed matte carbon. Oh, and its entire body kit is made from the same material. Of course, there are smatterings of RS Q8-LE 1000 badges inside and out, and the cabin gets a bespoke treatment to remind its driver that they’re not in an ‘ordinary’ Audi RS model.

It’ll be a highly exclusive model with just 30 to be built. You can have it in any color as long as it’s dark green with gold ABT forged wheels. As for the price, it’ll set you back €165,000 (around $190,000) for the package alone, and installation is another €20,000 (approx. $23,000). Note that a donor RS Q8 in Germany goes for at least €160,000 or just a hair under $184,000, so you’re looking at around $400,000 for a fully built example.