WITH its huge new six-bar, single frame grille, massive air scoops in a deep, protruding front spoiler, sexy, slimline headlights, fat tyres and wide wheel arches the all-new Audi Q8 exudes stylish aggression.

Unveiled in China, but set to be available in the UK very soon and costing around £65,000, the all-new Q8 combines its sporty new front-end design with the elegance of a four-door luxury coupé and the versatility of a large SUV.

It's Audi's answer to the likes of the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE and Range Rover Sport and, considering it's the company's first foray into the burgeoning Coupe-cum-SUV market, it looks the business and more than able to do battle with its longer-established rivals.

It's based on the Q7, albeit a little shorter and wider, and remains faithful to the dramatic styling of the original Q8 Sport concept first revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

While it undoubtedly wins in the style stakes, this new Audi can certainly hold its own in terms of practicality with seats for five in a generously proportioned interior and a luggage compartment which holds 605 litres as a standard and can be increased to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down.

The Q8 is expected in the showrooms in July and will come with a plethora of state-of-the-art drive and suspension technologies plus a long menu of intelligent assistance systems - including one that will even auto-park the car plus a trailer.

First models available this summer will be in S-Line spec with standard features ranging from sport-configured, adaptive air suspension, twin touch screens, top-spec navigation system, powered tailgate and LED headlights. Soon after, an even more comprehensively equipped Vorsprung version will join the line-up complete with leather chairs and trim, all-wheel steering and head-up display amongst its extra features.

Initially, the Q8 will be available with a 282bhp. three-litre turbodiesel engine paired with a mild hybrid system and permanent quattro all-wheel drive with an eight-speed tiprtronic auto transmission. It will accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 6.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 144mph.

A smaller three-litre diesel with 227bhp and a 335bhp, three-litre petrol-engined version will follow early next year.