Audi S8
During a recent Audi RS high-performance automobile testing session at Phillip Island circuit Audi also wheeled out a pair of rip-roaring road-goers – the Audi S8 plus sports sedan and the SQ5 plus luxury sports utility vehicle – for the media to get their teeth into.
Sharing the walloping 4.0-litre V8 of the track-tested tearaways, the S8 plus is the flagship of the Audi S range and with 445 kW and 700 Nm (750 Nm on overboost) is the most powerful (and fastest) S model in history.
The considerable power is put to ground via an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi quattro all-wheel drive. The S8 plus also features the quattro sports differential on the rear axle as standard.
The result is breath-taking acceleration for a large vehicle – just 3.8 seconds to 100 km/h from rest. Progressive Cylinder on Demand technology once again shuts down four of the eight cylinders under lower loads to save fuel, delivering not unreasonable consumption of 10.2 litres per 100km.
The S8 plus enjoys all the refinement and luxury of the S line sport with seats upholstered in Valcona leather highlighted by Arras red contrasting stitching, along with a unique carbon fibre red twill inlay.
Meanwhile, active engine mounts and the Bose surround sound system’s complementary Active Noise Cancellation suppresses unwanted noise and vibration during cylinder shutdown to enhance the feeling of luxury inside the cabin.
Most surprising about the Audi S8 plus on a drive loop on the mainland in the Gippsland countryside was how a car of this size and weight had the right to be taking tight corners at such speed and with such style.
The standard S8 4.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic sells for $280,610, plus on-road costs, the new S8 plus 4.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic $330,500.
The Audi SQ5 TDI plus is the latest member of the SQ5 TDI set with a more powerful version of the 3.0 TDI Biturbo V6 pumping out 250 kW and 700 Nm and, for the first time in a Q5, a quattro sport differential.
Calling on Audi’s long Le Mans 24-Hour history of success with TDI diesels, the SQ5 TDI plus 3.0 TDI Biturbo V6 engine generates 250 kW from 4100 to 4300 rpm, but impressively kicks in with 700 Nm from just 1500 rpm.
Audi SQ5
The sprint from zero to 100 km/h comes up in 5.1 seconds, while fuel consumption is down at 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres, putting the SQ5 TDI plus, like its SQ5 TDI sibling, under the Luxury Car Tax threshold of 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres.
As illustrated on the Gippsland run the SQ5 TDI plus benefits from the secure handling of Audi quattro all-wheel drive and quattro sport differential, with active torque vectoring, fitted for the first time to a Q5. It is available exclusively (and fitted as standard) to the SQ5 plus.
The country-road crawl behind tractor or truck is a thing of the past, with the SQ5 TDI plus power enough to overtake on the slimmest of stretches. There’s no substitute for confidence behind the wheel.
Adding to the exhilarating drive experience was the engine note produced by a sound actuator in the exhaust. A unique deep sonorous note with sporty overtone, it was previously not thought possible from a diesel.
Standard equipment above and beyond the SQ5 TDI includes Special 20-inch alloy wheels sporting stand-out red brake calipers, unique tailpipe design and exterior high gloss black exterior package.
Audi SQ5
An interior design package includes fine Nappa leather with diamond pattern
contrasting stitching in dark silver and leather instrument binnacle and carbon inlays, while state-of-the-art technology is led by adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go, and autonomous emergency braking.
This unique taste of a luxury SUV can be enjoyed in the SQ5 TDI plus quattro tiptronic for an outlay of $108,900, plus on-roads, as opposed to the $92,600 of the SQ5 TDI quattro tiptronic.
The entire Audi Q5 range comes standard with eight airbags and has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
