When it arrived in Australia at the end of 2018, the Audi Q8 instantly struck a chord with customers and the Australian motoring press with its bold styling, spacious luxury interior and performance. Here was a large, luxury SUV that was effectively the SUV equivalent of the Audi A8 – a flagship, showcasing all that the at the brand had to offer.

Now, that compelling combination of absolute luxury, technology and appointment is combined with the famous Audi S performance, in a vehicle that adds a whole new dimension to the SUV ranks.

Arriving in Australia in April, the Audi SQ8 TDI is one of the fastest performance SUVs on the market, boasting speed and agility that belies its physical size and extraordinary levels of appointment. 

Priced at $165,500*, the SQ8 TDI makes a powerful statement, with its tremendous road presence and no compromise appointment, technology and performance. 

The distinctive styling of the original Q8 has been further enhanced with a strikingly sporty exterior design which includes S body styling (S front and rear bumpers, grille, side sills and rear tailgate spoiler), 22-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights with dynamic rear indicators, red brake callipers, adaptive air suspension sport, exterior mirrors in aluminium look, privacy glass, power assisted door closure and metallic paint.

Performance and handling more than live up to strong design, with a twin turbo 4.0 TDI V8 engine, producing a stonking 320kW of power and an incredible 900Nm of torque from 1250rpm right through to 3250rpm. Mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with power down through all four wheels, this translates to a 0 to 100km/h time of just 4.8 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. Yet despite the incredible acceleration, the SQ8 is able to deliver fuel figures of 7.8L/100km and emissions of 205 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Acceleration and straight-line speed are just the beginning in the SQ8, with all-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension and electromechanical active roll stabilisation all contributing to its razor-sharp handling. Drawing power from a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system (MHEV) – which also powers a electric powered compressor (EPC) used to spool up the turbos – the SQ8 exhibits handling characteristics more common in a high-powered sportscar, sitting flat with nary a hint of body roll even on tight, twisting roads and high-speed bends.  

These performance and handling characteristics are all the more extraordinary given the extensive equipment and luxury appointment of the SQ8 TDI. Inside its enormous interior are S sport front seats in Valcona leather upholstery with diamond pattern stitching. The attention to detail throughout is nothing short of superb, with state-of-the-art technology seamlessly integrated into the interior. With four-zone climate control and ambient lighting package, the interior mood and environment can be fine tuned to suit every taste and situation, while the now familiar MMI touch response system with its dual screens provide easy operation of all on-board and vehicle systems with a simple touch – complete with satisfying acoustic and haptic feedback.

Everything is of course within easy reach of the driver, who also controls the various systems via the leather multi-function flat-bottom sports wheel or using the voice command system. The Audi virtual cockpit and Audi Smartphone Interface are standard equipment, while the Audi connect plus navigation provides a range of entertainment and information services through the high-speed internet access from the embedded SIM in the SQ8 TDI.

This combination places the SQ8 in a unique position, boasting as it does, sportscar performance and handling in a large, luxury SUV that wants for absolutely nothing. One of the rare occasions it seems you actually can please all of the people, all of the time.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)