MANHART RQ 800 based on Audi RS Q8

There’s no question about it: even in standard condition, the Audi RS Q8 is one of the
most impressive and brawny high-performance SUVs the automotive market has to offer.
A whopping 600 hp and 800 Nm from a four-litre, biturbo V8 are a stately claim. Although
they come up against an unladen weight of 2.4 tonnes, they catapult the top model to 100
km/h in under four seconds. Nevertheless, the all-wheel drive car offers plenty of potential
for optimisation. The specialists at MANHART Performance have set themselves the task
of bringing this to light: Their latest interpretation is the RQ 800.
Connoisseurs and friends of MANHART know immediately what this model designation
means. That’s right: the number gives a clear indication of the performance value. To be
more precise, the eight-cylinder engine at the front generates 818 hp, while the maximum
torque is now 1,050 Nm instead of the original 800. These increases are due to the
extensive engine overhaul. The centrepiece is the MANHART turbo upgrade in
combination, with a matching MANHART intercooler. This is complemented by a
MANHART carbon intake by Eventuri and ECU remapping. On the exhaust side, the RQ
800 comes up trumps with a MANHART stainless steel exhaust system, including valve
control. At the rear, it flows into four 100-millimetre-diameter MANHART tailpipes, which
are optionally ceramic-coated or carbon fiber. Also available are MANHART sports
downpipes with 200-cell catalytic converters, which, however, do not have TÜV approval
and are therefore only intended for export.
In addition to the engine, the transmission also receives an upgrade. And for those who
want a more stable brake system in view of the significantly increased power, MANHART
offers an individually configurable adaptation of the same on request. With regards to the
chassis, the vehicle shown here has been optimised and the factory air suspension
lowered. Two options are available for the latter: On the one hand, a software tuning or,
on the other hand, the use of new coupling rods.
As a further visual highlight, MANHART equips the RQ 800 with a set of its own Classic
Line rims in 10.5×24 and 12.5×24 inches. The Y-spoke wheels, finished in satin black with
a coloured line on the horn, are covered with 295/30 ZR24 and 355/25 ZR24 tyres. In
addition, a typical MANHART decor set provides accents on the brawny RS Q8 body in
the form of decorative stripes and lettering. MANHART also offers floor mats to enhance
the interior.