NEWS
Not even big SUVs are exempt from performance versions these days, and Audi has announced that it’s bringing two more large, fast ‘utes to the party with the 2020 SQ7 and SQ8. After all, just because you have a family doesn’t mean you don’t want to have some fun driving, and Audi will be happy to enable you.
Related: 2021 Audi RS Q8: The School Drop-Off Lane Just Got a Lot Cooler
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The reason for the combined announcement for the two SUVs? The pair will share a lot of the same go-go parts, including the same powertrain and suspension upgrades.
Here are six things that SUV shoppers that just wanna have fun should know:
The existing engine in the Q8 was a sticking point for us in our review, but the new powertrain should address those reservations. Both SUVs will share a 500-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that makes 568 pounds-feet of torque, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That will provide plenty of power for any situation you can think of — and probably a few you can’t.
Audi claims a 0-60-mph time of just 4.3 seconds for both models and a top track speed of 155 mph. To provide some context for just how fast that is, it bests the performance-oriented S models from the rest of Audi’s own passenger-car lineup (S3, S4, S5, S6 and S7) except for the S8 — which comes with the same twin-turbo V-8 under its hood.
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive comes standard, with a few enhancements. The regular Quattro system is capable of a 40/60 front-to-rear torque split, but the system found in these vehicles can send up 80% of the torque to the rear wheels. Just as important: The system gains the ability to send that torque to the left or right at the rear wheels, which should enhance handling and stability under acceleration even more.
The SQ7 and SQ8 will also come with all-wheel steering standard, which has dual benefits: added maneuverability and a tighter turning radius at low speeds, and improved stability at higher speeds. Also available will be an active roll stabilization system, which can stiffen the front and rear stabilizer bars, and should help the SUVs better flip between performance and comfort.
There’s a bit of visual differentiation for each model, but you’ll have to look closely to spot the changes. Black and aluminum design elements have been added along with silver mirror caps. The easiest way to pick out an S model will be from behind, where you can spot the quad exhaust outlets. Wheel sizes are 20 or 21 inches for the SQ7 and 21 or 22 inches for the SQ8. The changes inside are also subtle: There’s a cross-stitched leather pattern unique to S models, found on the standard sport seats that also come with heating and ventilation.
Both the 2020 SQ7 and SQ8 are scheduled to arrive at dealers in late spring, with additional pricing information coming shortly.
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