If you want the ultimate Audi SUV, you should buy the RS Q8. However,the SQ8 is an impressive beast in its own right.
Earlier this year, Audi introduced a petrol variant of the SQ8 that’s powered by a detuned version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 used by the likes of the RS6, RS7 and RS Q8, albeit with smaller turbochargers. This engine is good for 500 hp and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque, meaning it has 71 hp more and 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) less than the SQ8 diesel.
Watch Also: Is The Petrol-Powered 2021 Audi SQ8 A Better Take Than The Diesel Model?
While the petrol SQ8 may not have the torque to match its diesel counterpart, there is one key thing that it has going for it: the sound. As this video from Automann-TV showcases, the exhaust note of the SQ8 is very impressive and might actually sound better than the flagship RS Q8. On startup, it produces a nice rumble and, during acceleration, emits an aggressive burble matched with subtle cracks during gear changes.
Mated to this engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to a rear-biased Quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi says the SUV can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.3 seconds, and while that’s a few-tenths slower than the SQ8, it is more than enough performance for the street.
It is not just the engine that makes the SQ8 special. The performance SUV also has all-wheel steering and can be equipped with the (optional) Sport Package that includes electromechanical active roll stabilization and a Quattro sport differential that splits the torque between the rear wheels.