As diesel models are going out of fashion or rather, falling victims to government policies worldwide, Audi has upgraded the SQ8 (and the SQ7) over in Europe, giving it a petrol-powered engine (unlike North America that never got the diesels).
The 4.0-liter V8 is essentially the same engine used in the RS6, RS7 and RS Q8, though in a de-tuned form, with smaller turbos, making 500 HP (507 PS / 373 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque, 71 HP (72 PS / 53 kW) more and 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) less than the SQ8 diesel.
Read Also: 2020 Audi SQ8 Comes To America This Spring For A Little Under $90,000
The higher-revving model boasts a clever adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering, with electromechanical active roll stabilization, as part of an optional package that brings a rear differential that splits the torque between the wheels. As a result, the SQ8 TFSI stays planted through corners, and its straight-line performance shouldn’t be underestimated either, with the nought to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) taking just 4.1 seconds.
According to the official spec sheet, maximum speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). However, you may get the speedo to point out a bit more, as Rory Reid found during his review of the SQ8 TFSI, while cruising on a no-speed-limit zone of the Autobahn.
What else did he have to say about it? Mostly nice things, as he’s apparently a fan of fast SUVs and V8-powered cars, and the SQ8 TFSI ticks both boxes. But we’d better let him take it from here and talk you through the most important aspects of the vehicle that starts at $89,000 in our market, undercutting the 591-horsepower RS Q8 by $25,500.