The Audi Sport team has finally revealed their latest addition to its performance SUV range with this new SQ8.
Scheduled to arrive in South Africa during the first quarter of 2020, the SQ8 TDI features the same turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 diesel as the related SQ7, augmented by two conventional turbochargers and an additional electric compressor. The powerplant can deliver 429 horses (320 kW) and a whopping 900 Nm of torque which allows the big machine to run to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Standard features include a sports-tuned version of Audi’s air suspension, which varies the level position of the body by up to 90mm depending on speed and terrain. There’s also an optional sport differential, which offers active torque vectoring on the rear axle, along with available four-wheel steering.
For those tech lovers out there, the SQ8 also gets electromechanical active roll stabilisation, which comprises of a small electric motor between the two halves of the stabiliser on each axle.
In terms of equipment, the SQ8 gets model-specific upgrades like a new grille insert, underbody protection inserts for the front and rear bumpers, air inlets, a sports exhaust system, and 21-inch alloys (22-inch rims are optional).
Inside, you will see brushed matte aluminium inlays (carbon-fibre or oak also available), sports seats with ‘S’ embossing and contrast stitching, rotor grey or arras red leather upholstery, and the usual array of high-res displays for the driver and infotainment setup.
