MODEL DETAILS
What: Audi SQ8 F1 Livery Version (SQ8 涂装版)
Era: Audi Modern Era
Manufacturer: Audi China / Audi AG
Model Family: Q8 / SQ8
Market / Zone: China
Production Span: 2026 (show vehicle)
Debut: 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix
Number Produced: One-off promotional vehicle (believed)
Model / Generation Code(s): Type 4M.5 (facelift generation of Type 4M)
Chassis / Matrix: MLB Evo
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Body Style(s): 4-door performance SUV (coupé-style roofline)
Drivetrain Configuration: Longitudinal front engine, permanent quattro all-wheel drive
Engine(s): 4.0-liter V8 TFSI twin-turbocharged gasoline engine
Maximum Power: 373 kW (500 hp)
Maximum Torque: 770 Nm
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
Suspension: Adaptive air suspension with performance tuning
Brakes: High-performance braking system (optional ceramic brakes available)
Audio System: Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system
Interior: S-series sport interior with Valcona leather upholstery and carbon/aluminum trim options
OVERVIEW
The Audi SQ8 “涂装版” (túzhuāng bǎn) was a promotional design study unveiled by FAW Audi in Shanghai during the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix weekend. The vehicle was developed in collaboration with the Audi Formula 1 design team and featured a bespoke racing-inspired paint scheme intended to visually link Audi’s road cars with the brand’s new Formula 1 program.
The name used in the Chinese press materials—“涂装版”—literally translates to “livery version” or “painted version.” Rather than identifying a production special edition, the term describes a vehicle finished in a custom racing-style graphic treatment.
Displayed through Shanghai pop-up installations during the Chinese Grand Prix, the SQ8 livery car served as a marketing activation highlighting Audi’s transition into the Formula 1 era and reinforcing the brand’s long-standing narrative of transferring technology and design inspiration “from the track to the street.”
No production program or ordering information was announced for the livery version, and the vehicle is widely understood to be a one-off promotional show car created for the race weekend.
The underlying vehicle remains the standard Audi SQ8 performance SUV, a coupe-styled luxury SUV combining high-performance powertrain technology with Audi’s flagship SUV architecture.
DESIGN
The F1-inspired livery was developed by Audi’s Formula 1 design studio and incorporates minimalist geometric graphics and motorsport-inspired color blocking intended to echo the visual identity of Audi’s Formula 1 car.
The design treatment emphasizes the vehicle’s coupe silhouette and S-series sporting character while visually connecting the road-going SUV with Audi’s new motorsport program.
The vehicle was displayed alongside other Audi models during the Chinese Grand Prix week as part of the company’s Formula 1 promotional activations in China.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The debut of the SQ8 涂装版 came during an important moment for Audi’s motorsport history. In 2026, Audi entered Formula 1 as a full works constructor, marking the brand’s first participation in the championship. The program followed decades of motorsport success across multiple disciplines, including quattro’s dominance in the World Rally Championship during the 1980s, 13 overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 2000 and 2014, and championship success in series such as DTM and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Audi’s Formula 1 program was positioned internally as the next technological frontier for the company, aligning with Formula 1’s new hybrid power unit regulations emphasizing electrification and energy recovery. The Shanghai display of the SQ8 涂装版 formed part of the brand’s broader strategy to connect its new Formula 1 activities with its road car lineup in global markets.
China represents one of Audi’s most important markets worldwide, with FAW Audi serving as the brand’s long-standing joint venture partner responsible for local production and sales. Launching the SQ8 in China during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend allowed Audi to link the introduction of its performance flagship SUV with the global visibility of Formula 1, reinforcing the brand’s narrative of performance innovation flowing from the racetrack to production vehicles.
The use of a custom livery vehicle such as the SQ8 涂装版 also reflects a long-standing tradition among manufacturers of using motorsport-inspired show cars during major race events to visually connect road vehicles with competition programs.
PHOTO GALLERY
