How to make an R8 seem slow

JUST 3.8 SECONDS from 0-100km/h. That’s what makes the new RS Q8 Audi’s fastest SUV ever – and one of its quickest full stop – given that it’s just 0.2 seconds slower off the mark than the beastly RS6 and just 0.6s shy of the R8 Plus for that matter.

As you would have guessed by now, the RS Q8 is powered by the same four-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that does service in the aforementioned RS6 and RS7, and it’s in the same state of tune, with 441kW and 800Nm on command.

A 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 ignition sequence and RS sport exhaust system ensure that you hear the engine in all its glory, and the soundtrack can also be configured by the driver through the Audi drive select system.

Let’s make no mistake, this is not an economical car, but Audi has done its best to mitigate consumption through a 48-volt mild hybrid system, featuring a belt alternator. The set-up can save up to 0.8 litres per 100km in everyday driving.

The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that, under normal circumstances, pushes 60% of the torque to the rear wheels, but if required it can increase that to 85%, or even send 70% to the front if need be.

The quattro sport differential also varies the torque distribution

between the rear wheels as needed. This and the rear-wheel steering system aim to keep it pinsharp through the corners.

Because ride comfort is equally important in a luxury SUV such as this, an RS-specific adaptive air suspension system is fitted and it can vary the ride height by up to 90mm. All of the vehicle’s dynamic systems can be configured through the Dynamic Select interface, which gives drivers eight profiles to play around with (Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, Allroad, Offroad and the individually configurable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes), which can be activated with the “RS” button on the steering wheel.

The RS Q8 rolls off the assembly line with 22-inch wheels as standard. Also helping you to tell it apart from humbler Q8s is an RS-specific grille in gloss black honeycomb, wider side skirts and a diffuser, also in high-gloss black. Inside you’ll find RS displays in the digital instrument cluster, head-up display and MMI interface, as well as the RS sports seats in Valcona leather.

Audi South Africa says it aims to launch the RS Q8 in the second quarter of 2020.