A lap timer is built into his on-board computer and a device for measuring the G-forces when jumping around tight bends and through sweeping bends.
It uses the same twin-turbo V8 that was found in a Lamborghini and could literally beat many supercars in a one-on-one race.
Oh, and it can hold a set of golf clubs, two suitcases, a large esky, a case of wine, a case of beer, three bags of ice cream and two cases of groceries.
Yes, the newly released RSQ8 from Audi is an SUV like no other.
For its part, the German manufacturer admits that “we built a bit of a monster”. As proof, Audi reveals that this large coupé-style SUV recently lapped Germany’s infamous Nürburgring-Nordschleife in a glowing seven minutes and 42 seconds. That’s faster, they admit, than the company’s first-generation R8 V10 Coupé.
So it’s also a supercar like no other.
Nowadays, no manufacturer can do without an SUV in its model range, not even the most prestigious brands. Think of Porsche with Cayenne and Macan; Cullinan from Rolls Royce, Bentayga from Bentley and Urus from Lamborghini. This big Audi is at home in this company.
After all, not many soft-roaders pack 441 kilowatts under the hood, plus a gigantic 800 Nm of torque (that’s almost a Newton-kilometer) with the ability to reach the speed limit in a dizzying 3.8 seconds.
On the other hand, only a few real super sports cars are so luxuriously processed and cannot be converted into a soft five-seater.
The heart of this Jeckyll and Hyde madness is a tiny button on the steering wheel that says “RS mode”.
Press it and the limo-like, sleek and sensible SUV turns into a growling beast.
The engine note changes from a gentle splash to a scowl; The throttle response is sharpened and the gear changes become faster and more urgent.
The instrument panel changes from its traditional appearance to a racetrack-like format, complete with a G-force gauge and lap timer.
The Q8 literally crouches in its stance, while the air suspension lowers the body and the massive 23-inch wheels retreat into the equally large wheel arches on display.
In theory, the button can be pressed a second time, which disables dynamic stability control and traction control, among other things, so the car can skid and slide when all those kilowatts are released. Not recommended.
This is a huge, insanely powerful piece of engineering that all but ignores most of the laws of physics. He reinvents the performance SUV and at the same time reinvents the super sports car.
The problem with most supercars is that once the drivers are affordable, they may be too old to get into them. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are great until it comes to climbing into one or worse, getting it in and out of the driveway.
The RSQ8 delivers the same thrill without having to schedule an appointment with the chiropractor.
But it’s just as fun going to the stores, picking up the kids from school, or picking up Costco’s monthly bulk shop.
Audi is clear about the position of the car and calls the RSQ8 the “spearhead of the Audi RS model range” – a status that no other manufacturer has given an SUV – which gives it over such impressive stable mates as the RS7 and RS6 Missiles lifts.
Pull back that muscular facade and you have one of the most attractive, luxurious machines on the market.
With this level of performance, it makes a pretty decent buy for $ 208,500 (plus dealer and on-road costs, so don’t expect a change from $ 240,000).
Keep in mind that its corporate cousin, the Lamborghini Urus, costs almost double the price of a car that is essentially the same under the skin (with the same twin-turbo, 4-liter V8).
The list of standard inclusions is impressive (and the testing machine included a number of free options).
As it should be for Audi, the cockpit is seriously high-quality – built around three large high-resolution screens that display the instruments, satellite navigation and vehicle functions, as well as a third for the air conditioning settings.
The luxurious appointments include soft, diamond-stitched Valcona leather on the ventilated and heated sports seats all around, as well as leather appointments on the console, dashboard, door rails and armrests.
There is an electric sun protection blind for the rear side windows, a panoramic glass roof, premium navigation and infotainment as well as an excellent Bang and Olufsen 3D audio system with 16 speakers and 705 watts.
Dynamically, it is not an easy task to make such a large car feel so agile and responsive. But thanks to the quattro sport differential, dynamic all-wheel steering, active roll stabilization, RS adaptive air suspension, massive oval double rear silencers, adaptive cruise control with stop-go and traffic jam assistant, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, that is achieved. The massive 440m windshield could bake a pizza.
In addition, there is an inconspicuous mild hybrid system that harvests energy when decelerating and braking and thus drives the stop-start system – that saves almost a liter of fuel per 100 km.
Not that buyers will choose this car to save the planet.
So super sports cars or simply super sports cars. It really doesn’t matter.
In any case, it is a remarkable piece of engineering.
AUDI RSQ8
* HOW LARGE? Based on the same platform as the seven-seater Q7 from Audi (but with a coupé rear), it offers five adults premium comfort, including all equipment.
* HOW FAST? Insane – the speed limit is reached in 3.8 seconds.
* HOW THIRSTY? Officially 12.1L / 100km. But it is seldom driven sensibly enough for that.
* HOW MUCH? $ 208,500 (plus approximately $ 30,000 in taxes, rego, and merchant fees).
