Lamborghini for The Price Of A Fortuner? » MotorOctane

What if I told you that you could get a Lamborghini Urus for the same price as a Fortuner? That sounds made up, but it is partially true. The Urus is just a rebadged Audi Q8. The Q8 shares the same platform as the Urus. Since both these cars are part of the Volkswagen Group, they share parts from the same bin. You can get one such Q8 for the price of a new Toyota Fortuner. Today, we will look at how good this deal actually is.

Looks

The Q8 might be one of the best-looking SUVs in the segment. The sloping roofline and blacked-out grille, along with the giant 20″ alloys, give it a sporty look. It is the right amount of sporty and elegant. In comparison, the Urus looks much more aggressive. The cuts and creases are subtle, but the overall stance remains boxy. Overall, the Q8 stands out in regular traffic and commands road presence over the Fortuner. And in the correct shade, the Q8 looks absolutely stunning. If you wish to buy one, I strongly recommend getting one with the blue or the orange shade.

The Q8 shares the same platform as the Urus- the MLB Evo platform. The Q8 is a massive car, almost 5 m long and about 2m wide. The ground clearance may not be as high as that of other SUVs, but the Q8 is aimed at a different demographic.

Interior

You sacrifice a bit of practicality, since the Q7 (the car it is based on) offers 2 more seats, more rear headroom, and more boot space. But the Q8 is just as luxurious as the Q7. It gets an identical dashboard to the other high-end Audi cars. You get three screens: one for the climate controls, one for the infotainment screen, and one for the driver’s display. This cockpit is quite intuitive, even though the climate controls are integrated into the screen. This layout is very user-friendly, as the important controls have their own independent screen.

Features include a powered tailgate, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, 8 airbags, ADAS, a 360-degree parking camera, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, etc. The overall cabin quality is top-notch, with an abundance of soft-touch materials throughout.

Powertrain

Things start getting fun now. This particular model is the 3.0L V6 55 FSI, which produces a mighty 335 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic and the fabled Quattro drivetrain. The same gearbox and 4WD drivetrain are used in the Urus. The only difference with the Urus is the engine. Instead of the V6, you get a V8 in the Urus. The RSQ8 also uses this V8, but the Urus gets a power boost over it.

The handling is identical to that of the Urus, but the ride quality is slightly softer than that of the Italian SUV. The Quattro drivetrain is derived from the legendary Audi Quattro rally car and is capable of tackling rugged terrain. The Q8 has more ground clearance than the Fortuner, which means it can be a capable off-roader if you want it to be.

Should you buy it?

This model is a 2021 one, which means it is not that old. A new Q8 costs almost 1.3 crore rupees (on-road, Mumbai), and this particular car has been listed at 63 lakhs, the same as a top-of-the-line Fortuner. You get twice as many features, a more powerful engine, better interiors and a bigger car with the Q8. The car shares the same underpinnings as a Urus and handles like a dream. Overall, the Q8 is a much better car for the same price.

The only concerns with buying it are reliability and maintenance costs. The Q8 is past its warranty, and German cars aren’t known for reliability. Many electronic and mechanical components could go wrong, and replacing them will burn a massive hole in your pocket. Maintenance, such as oil and tyre changes, is significantly more expensive than for a Fortuner, and it requires much more care than the Japanese SUV.

Many people love the smell of a new car, and if you are willing to let go of this pleasure, you should go for the Q8. This is a relatively new car, so the engine and transmission going out at the same time are highly unlikely. Nevertheless, it is still a risk to keep in mind. You should set aside at least five lakhs if you plan to buy one. Before making the purchase, have the car checked by a trusted mechanic.

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