AUDI Australia has launched its new SQ7 and SQ8 twin-under-the-skin performance-focused luxurious SUV fashions this week, switching out the diesel engine for a twin-turbo petrol V8.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 TFSI engine produces 373kW and 770Nm in each the SQ7 and SQ8 providing extra peak energy and efficiency than the V8 diesel it replaces however with a whopping 56.4 per cent gas consumption penalty.
That includes in different Audi efficiency fashions in numerous states of tune – just like the bonkers RSQ8 SUV and RS6 Avant hyper wagon – the brand new SQ7/SQ8 engine returns claimed mixed gas use figures of 12.2L/100km (SQ8) and 12.1L/100km (SQ7).
Each fashions will attain 100km/h in simply 4.1 seconds, which is a powerful seven tenths faster than the outgoing diesel-powered fashions that consumed 7.8L/100km (SQ8) and seven.2L/100km (SQ7) on the mixed cycle.
Australia’s Inexperienced Automobile Information web site calculates the annual gas invoice for a diesel SQ7 at $1987 and $3337 for the brand new petrol mannequin (based mostly on 14,000km pushed per yr at gas costs averaged over the previous quarter).
Carbon dioxide emissions develop from 190 grams per kilometre to 278g/km, shifting from the Inexperienced Automobile Information’s “barely worse than common” score to “worse than common”.
When GoAuto spoke to Audi Australia product supervisor Matthew Dale on the native SQ7 and SQ8 launch in Victoria, he mentioned the brand new engine is as environment friendly as it may be, noting that the S fashions are finally fairly area of interest performance-focused automobiles.
“We’ve obtained Audi expertise within the engine as properly, so we are able to shut off a whole cylinder financial institution. That makes it extraordinarily extra environment friendly than what it could be with out it.” he defined.
“These applied sciences enhance effectivity, efficiency, however the factor is it’s a efficiency SUV. It’s a sportscar on the finish of the day, in SUV type. It does have to carry out at a high-performance stage.
“Placing these applied sciences within the automotive simply reveals we’re enhancing effectivity however efficiency as properly.”
Mr Dale went on to elucidate that the rationale for the transfer to petrol energy was largely performance-based.
“Dynamically the automotive is completely different, it feels completely different, it performs otherwise … having that lighter weight over the entrance axle, the dynamics have drastically modified versus the diesel,” he mentioned.
“There’s extra flexibility within the rev vary as properly, so the torque (of) 770Nm is available in at round 2000rpm, the place the diesel got here in at 1250rpm, however the flexibility within the petrol means you’ve obtained that torque band for lots longer.”
Each fashions can be found for order at Audi sellers now, and executives at Audi Australia confirmed wait instances of round six months pending availability of extras ticked.
“The SQ7 and SQ8 TFSI characterize a novel mixture of sportscar efficiency in a full-sized, luxurious SUV that has at all times struck a chord with Australian prospects,” mentioned Audi Australia director Jeff Mannering.
“The truth that giant, luxurious SUVs are able to delivering this stage of efficiency and dealing with is testomony to Audi’s engineering prowess, and the extent of appointment and end imply that they ship on all fronts.”
The SQ7 begins at $164,100 earlier than on-road prices, and the SQ8 is priced from $168,800, representing a minor value improve for every.
For the additional $2600 (SQ7) and $7300 (SQ8) these fashions command over their predecessors, every packs a protracted listing of normal inclusions.
Each fashions come customary with Audi’s Quattro everlasting all-wheel drive system, all-wheel steering, and adaptive air suspension.
Exterior styling adjustments embrace ‘S’ badging and revised bumpers, grille, aspect sills, rear tailgate spoiler, Matrix LED headlights, dynamic rear indicators, 22-inch alloy wheels, and aluminium-look aspect mirrors.
A panoramic sunroof, privateness glass and heated aspect mirrors are included throughout the 2 fashions, whereas the SQ7 additionally will get power-assisted door closure and roof rails.
Inside, the 2 fashions acquire premium Valcona leather-based upholstery with diamond-pattern stitching, and sport seats within the entrance with heating and digital adjustability.
Expertise within the cabin is high tier, with a 17-speaker, 730-watt Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, 10.1-inch infotainment display and smaller 8.6-inch automobile management display.
On the security entrance, the SQ7 and SQ8 have a complete suite of collision avoidance and driver help expertise, together with adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go site visitors jam help, 360-degree cameras with kerb view, parking sensors all spherical, in addition to pre-sense entrance and rear and lane-keep help.
2022 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 TFSI pricing*:
SQ7 TFSI $164,100
SQ8 TFSI $168,800
*Pricing excludes on-road prices.
Learn our SQ7 and SQ8 drive critiques beneath, the place we put the brand new petrol-powered twin-turbo V8 variants by way of their paces.
