Audi has brought their diesel-powered SQ7 and SQ8 SUVs to South Africa, although only in “limited numbers”. These arrivals are keeping diesel alive with Audis most powerful diesel engines and aggressive sporty styling. Here are the announced specifications and local pricing for South Africa.
Minor updates and more standard features for the 2021 Audi SQ7 and SQ8.
With S-badges to set these SUVs apart from the regular Q7 and Q8, Audi has also bolstered the grille and exhaust pipes of both the SQ7 and SQ8. The former will come standard with Matrix LED headlights while the latter gets HD Matrix LED headlamps.
Both will ship with 21-inch Audi Sport wheels but buyers can opt for larger 22-inch wheels on the SQ7 and 23-inch wheels on the SQ8. Apart from these changes, the exterior is mostly the same.
Inside the cabin is a bit of a different story. While the style remains the same, Valcona leather-wrapped seats come standard with heating and memory function at the front. S sport seats plus that come with integrated head restraints are also optionally available while the Audi SQ7 can get a third row of seats just like the Q7.
Each model will come with Audi’s latest MMI touch response control system in the infotainment section. This includes two large screens in the centre, 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch in size. For more connectivity, buyers can opt for the Audi phone box which gives wireless charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Four-zone automatic air-conditioning comes as standard but for drivers that want to blare their music on long road trips might want to choose the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system which gets 23 speakers.
Both models get Audi’s most powerful diesel engine.
This is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 motor that is assisted by an electrically powered compressor, which is fed by a 48 V system. This gets the peak outputs to an impressive 310 kW and 900 Nm. As standard, this is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission along with Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel-drive arrangement.
This gets the same sprint to 100 km/h for both models, getting there in just 4.8 seconds. There is a limited top speed of 250 km/h which is still plenty enough.
As for fuel efficiency, Audi says that the SQ7 will consume 8.7 L/100 km, while the SQ8 has a lower 8.3 L/100 km.
As standard, an air suspension is offered that can adjust the ride height by 90 mm. All-wheel steering on the other hand is optional.
Prices for South Africa.
The Audi SQ7 and SQ8 are available in limited numbers. The vehicle is sold with a 5-year Audi Freeway Plan.
- SQ7 TDI quattro: R1,679,500
- SQ8 TDI quattro: R1,848,500
