Despite being shorter than the Q7, Ingolstadt’s latest SUV has a name with a higher denomination, and is its new flagship. We head to Chile to check it out.
There’s no other way to say this but when I first jumped behind the wheel of the Audi Q8 55 TFSI with its 340bhp, three-litre, twin-turbo V6 offering up 500Nm of torque, I was somewhat disappointed.
Not with the Q8 itself, which encompasses some brilliant new design themes along with all the connectivity trickery carried over from the A8, it was with the right pedal. This engine is not unfamiliar to us having been tested under the hoods of the A8, the A7 Sportback, the A6 and A5 but somehow the extra bulk of an SUV shape didn’t justify its relatively sluggish performance. As is usual for drive programs, we travel two up and in this case, I opted to let my colleague take the opening stint while I perused the car’s incredibly slick interior without paying too much attention to where we were going. The Atacama desert on the edge of the Andes in Chile is a hostile place to launch a luxury car and it was only as we stopped for a quick pic opportunity that I noticed snow on the side of the road and the unbelievably picturesque mountain range we were traversing. I also didn’t realise that my colleague was extracting the most from the engine by keeping it in Sport mode and changing gears with the paddles to maintain momentum, yet it didn’t seem that steep.
Denne historien er fra July 13, 2018-utgaven av Wheels Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 13, 2018-utgaven av Wheels Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Infiniti QX30 - New Kid On The Block
The Japanese premium brand bolsters its utility vehicle line-up with a sub-compact crossover. Is it good enough to make a mark in the highly competitive segment?
The World's Best Race Track
There are far more race tracks out there than you might have imagined, but, which one is the best?
All-New Bespoke Generation 6 Tyre Arrives In Middle East
Designed specifically for the region’s driving conditions, the new range will be available in three distinct product lines
Lincoln Navigator - AL Tayer Motors Begins Deliveries
Combines modern luxury with advanced technology; starts from Dh351,750
Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle - Fuel For Thought
Has 70 per cent better economy compared to 2.5-litre petrol engine variant
Honda Civic Pickup Truck Keep On Truckin'
Honda shows its fun side with a new one-off Civic Type R pickup truck and a Nürburgring lap record in its sights
Bentley - Setting New Global Standards
Employees achieve ‘Silver Award’ for customer service
Rapid Response
Aston Martin has given the Rapide a comprehensive going over and created a naturally aspirated four-door super-saloon to remind you the good ol’ days are still with us
More The Merrier
Lexus’ mid-size SUV gets seven seats, but does that make it a more compelling choice in its segment?
Handle With Care
Rob bought this C4 because of its handling prowess — not tomention those gorgeous looks and powerful V8! He tells usmore about his classic Corvette
