Audi on Tuesday launched the Audi SQ8 in India, strengthening its SUV portfolio. Priced at an introductory ₹1.77 crore (ex-showroom), the SQ8 is positioned between the standard Audi Q8 and the more powerful Audi RS Q8, which is priced closer to ₹2.4 crore.

The company said the new model is aimed at customers seeking a balance between performance and price.

Audi highlighted that SUVs now account for nearly 60% of its sales in India, underlining the segment’s growing importance in its overall strategy.

The launch of the SQ8 is part of efforts to widen the portfolio and tap into demand for powerful yet relatively accessible luxury performance vehicles, Audi’s Head of India, Balbir Singh Dhillon told The Hindu.

The SQ8 is powered by a 4.0-litre engine, a configuration that the company believes will appeal to enthusiasts looking for higher performance within this price bracket. “There is a clear interest among buyers for more powerful vehicles at this price point, and the SQ8 addresses that gap,” Mr Dhillon said.

The move also comes as Audi looks to regain momentum after supply-side constraints impacted volumes. The company sold around 4,500 units in the 2024–25 calendar year, as compared to 5,812 units the year prior, a decline of 22.6%, which it attributed partly to limited model availability.

The SQ8 comes with a 10-year complimentary roadside assistance package, along with service and maintenance offerings aimed at enhancing ownership experience.