2018 Audi Q8 SUV | spy pics

Audi has been spotted testing what appears to be a pre-production prototype of its upcoming Q8 coupe SUV just two weeks after the German carmaker revealed it in concept from at the Detroit motor show.

The Q8 will be Audi’s answer to Mercedes-Benz’s GLE Coupe and BMW’s X6; both niche hits.

Audi says the Q8 will be a plug-in electric hybrid with a 3.0-litre V6 engine combined with an electric motor for a total output of 330kW and 700Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.4s. An eight speed automatic transmission will shift gears.

At 5.02m end-to-end, the Q8 is about 30mm shorter than the Q7, but has a coupe-style roofline which tapers to a smaller rear window. And while the Q7 can seat seven, the Q8 will only fit five.

Concepts are notorious for showing off features that don’t make it to production, often due to safety requirements. However, the Q8 shown here closely resembles the Detroit concept, with a couple of notable differences.

The test mule also sports bumper reflectors – not at all sexy, but an indication this SUV is close to real-world ready.

The concept's enormous grille appears to have been reduced in size – still as wide, just not as tall. The wedged-shaped headlight design remains, so do the chunky lower air-intakes. 

As expected, the concept's slim-line wing mirrors have been replaced with larger ones and door handles have been fitted - you may have noticed the concept didn’t have any.

While the roof-top wing and flat back window are untouched, it appears the taillights on this test car differ slightly from the concept's. The wraparound blade-like design appears to have been kept, but the strip brake lights extending across the tailgate have been replaced by a simpler spoiler-mounted unit.

The test mule also sports bumper reflectors – not at all sexy, but an indication this SUV is close to real-world ready.

Speaking exclusively to CarsGuide, Audi Australia spokesperson Shaun Cleary has confirmed the Q8 concept is a close reflection of the production version, but remained tight-lipped on when the new SUV would arrive in Australia.

 "The Q8 concept is an indication of how a new production model might appear, sitting above the Q7. It’s expected to launch in 2018, although no further details have been confirmed," he said.

Audi's Q8, BMW's X6, or Merc's GLE Coupe? What's your pick? Let us know know in the comments below.