Carmall.com - The SUV market is one of the most rapidly growing segments in the automotive market and Audi seemed to realise the potential. This now subsidiary of Volkswagen (VW) is said to be preparing a new product for that market, the sporty SUV segment in particular.

As reported by Caranddriver.com, Audi is in the development stages of the Q8, an SUV with the more sporty-inclined buyers of the segment in mind.

Set to compete with the likes of BMW X6 and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which have been a success and essentially define the category, the Q8 is predicted to carry either a V6 or V8 engine, or variants that will feature each, with a plug-in hybrid version also a possibility.

For the drivetrain, Audi's ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission is said to be the strong candidate, as with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Q8 will also feature Quattro all-wheel drive and generally be based on the Volkswagen Group's MLB platform.

Other details are still unknown, but the model is scheduled for launch in 2016. (Martin H. S.)