Audi’s SQ8 TFSI SUV – Upper luxury sports SUV with impressive handling

Driving Audi’s upper luxury SQ8 SUV – this coupe style SUV now with 4.0-litre
twin turbo petrol V8 power replacing diesel power in the first model. Unlike the
seven-seat Audi SQ7, the sportier SQ8 is a five-seater with a sloped rear roof line,
the SQ8 61mm shorter, 25mm wider and 85mm lower. An upper luxury SUV at
$168,000 it sells in relatively small numbers. A distinctive SUV with four-wheel
steering, four-wheel drive powered as I said by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8
driving through an 8-speed automatic. Visually big and imposing with a wide
stance sitting on 22 wheels it tips the scales at 2480 kilos with a braked towing
capacity of 3,500kilos. The interior best described as sumptuous and built for
comfort, Nappa leather quilted power heated and cooled seat, lashings of black
piano finishes and two large touch screens, in this case surprisingly user
friendly. With a gutsy 770Nm of torque between 2 and 4,000 revs the Audi SQ8 is
a very docile driver about town with a cosseted ride and surprisingly fuel
efficient. But with its adaptive air suspension on an open winding road it
transforms into a taut driving machine offering amazing cornering stability and
performance. Expensive yes but just so competent.

Download this podcast here