NOW HERE'S something for those who like 4 x 4s to look out for in the coming months – 472bhp and 0-62 in 4.7 seconds – take a gander at the Audi Q8 Sport concept.

On parade at the recent Geneva show, this speedy SUV combines the excellent Audi 3.0 TFSI power unit with a mild hybrid system and electric compressor as first used on the Audi SQ7 TDI/. This is the electric compressors first marriage to a TFSI petrol engine.

With a range of more than 745 miles its 48-volt quick-charge electrical system this assures the supply of electrical power and during boost operation – where the combustion engine and electric motor are used simultaneously – the electric motor’s additional 20 kW of output and torque of 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) open up the huge power to the engine and means that total torque can hit 700 Nm.

Positioned at the rear under the luggage compartment, the lithium-ion battery with an energy storage capacity of 0.9 kWh makes it possible to keep moving slowly in stop-start traffic with the combustion engine switched off, as well as allowing for manoeuvres and parking under electric power alone.

In addition to two exhaust gas turbochargers, the electric powered compressor provides concept with an additional kick by supplying the three-litre six-cylinder engine with fresh air. This supports the turbochargers at times when the exhaust gas is insufficient for rapid development of power.

The Q8 sport concept drive system with its V6 TFSI and additional electric motor supplies the performance of a true eight-cylinder engine, yet with the fuel consumption of a frugal four-cylinder.

Audi says that’s because, compared toa similar engine without mild hybrid system, the consumption reduces by more than a litre per 100km, despite serving up 20 kW of additional power.

The concept vehicle also has the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and adaptive air suspension sport – an air suspension system with controlled damping which can set the ground clearance in five levels with 90mm height differences, selecting the ideal level in each case.

Viewed from the front, the 2.05m-wide Audi Q8 sport concept looks particularly imposing and in typical Audi Sport fashion, the outer air inlets are much larger compared to the basic model, while a long roof edge spoiler shades the flat rear window of the Audi concept.

Under that window, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 630 litres.

Inside, the latest hi-tech wizardry gets full vent and the contact-analogue head-up display projects important displays onto the windshield in the driver’s direct field of view and the notifications from the driver assistance systems also merge the virtual and physical worlds.