Bucket Seat: Audi Q7 & Q8 Launch

This week I spent some time with Audi South Africa getting to know their updated Q7 and Q8 line-up, while some brands have a life-cycle update just once before changing the shape, Audi work a bit differently, having multiple, many might see this as a cheap cop-out from changing the design but others might see this as an improvement of something that already works. I'll admit, I always love seeing new designs but the changes that Audi bring to the party in most of their updates do get me excited and as I found out at the launch this week, the Q7 and Q8 line-up now comes with some really cool stuff that warrants excitement over. 

The Q7 was the first SUV to be launched by the brand, while they did offer all-road crossover vehicles, there was a need for them to compete in the segment with something of their own. The first generation did rather well and with Audi's Quattro technology which was adapted from their cars, it was an almost no brainer that it would pair nicely in something larger. As the generations moved on for the Q7, so did the evolution of the SUV segment, with the introduction of smaller to medium variants but the Q7 always remained the benchmark with advancements on it being passed down to the rest of the SUV line-up. 

Attending the launch helped me get a better insight into what Audi have done and to experience it for myself. The line-up has changed a bit with the Q7 offered in only a petrol engine but the Q8 having both a diesel and petrol option, moving over to the sporty  SQ7 and SQ8, they both share the same 4.0L V8 turbo petrol engine and the range topping RS Q8 has that throaty 4.0L V8 as well but has been tuned to the max. All engines come with mild hybrid technology to help with the fuel economy and the V8's when cruising around town will automatically switch off 4 cylinders when it feels it doesn't need all 8 to work. The cars apart from the RS version are available in two trims, that being Platinum and Black Edition with a range of new colours and textures to personalize your car, to your taste. There are some pricey exclusive options like certain paints which can go up-to R140,000! 

The tech in the car continues to amaze me, starting off with the matrix LED headlights which now allows you to customise the daytime running lights, which you can choose from 5-different options. They even added a cool light show as a party trick to make the car even cooler but also demonstrate the technology. Audi's MMI interface has gotten some slight tweaks to make things easy, and has the option to add favourite destinations for your GPS. Bang & Olefson 3D Premium sound is standard on both trim lines. The are some other cool party tricks with these cars, like the Remote park assist plus, which is done via the Audi mobile app, which allows the driver to park a car in a tight parking spot without being in the car. Simply scan the parking area for a suitable spot, hop off, stand in close proximity to the car and it will park itself, this feature also allows the car to come out of the said parking spot itself. 

Having listened to what is new, it was time to get behind the wheel, first up was the range topping RS Q8, which currently holds the record for the fastest SUV to go around the Nurburgring in its class. That is a massive achievement and it has Audi's most powerful combustion engine made to date to thank for that. The 4.0L TFSI V8 produces 471kW and 850Nm of torque, just mind blowing numbers and all of that is in this SUV. 0-100km/h takes just 3.6 seconds, and this was tested quite a few times as we did launch the car multiple times on our test drive. It was just too much fun. While the car is big and heavy, what I appreciated was the agile nature of the steering, this is thanks to the rear wheel steering which cuts down the turning circle by 1 meter. The large tyre adorned by those standard 23" rims clung onto the tar as I navigated my way down Franschhoek pass with the valley waking up to the sounds of that roaring V8, it's like a symphony to any petrol head but I think what caught most of the onlookers by surprise, is that they heard it first and then when they saw it, they didn't expect it to be an SUV hurtling down the pass. 

After stepping out of the RS Q8 driver seat, which was not easy, but I needed to eat dinner any make small talk with the rest of the people before getting some shut eye for the next day. Having experienced the full power of that V8, it was time to sample a toned down version of it in the SQ7. The more family orientated SUV now comes standard with 7-seats which fold down flat to give you a big luggage hold. The new grill in the black edition really gives this car a menacing look, and will intimidate anyone during a school run. The growl of the V8 sounded more aggressive in this one that the RS Q8 for some reason and even with the launch control, it was a lot more violent but in a good way. It certainly isn't an ordinary soccer moms van, that is for sure! While cruising on the freeway, I could feel the mild-hybrid tech in action as well as the car switching off those extra cylinders and when the need arised, livening them up again to propel us into warp speed. 

Overall, what I've seen from Audi during these two days has been extremely impressive and looking forward to getting some on slightly longer testing to see how they cope with the day-to-day activities. 

Pricing for the range is as follows:

Audi Q7 and SQ7:

• Q7 55 (3.0L Petrol) TSFI Quattro Platinum Edition - R1,958,000
• Q7 55 (3.0L Petrol) TFSI Quattro Black Edition - R1,987,900
• SQ7 55 (4.0L Petrol) TSFI Quattro - R2,540,500
• SQ7 55 (4.0L Petrol) TFSI Quattro Black Edition - R2,574,500

Audi Q8 and SQ8:

• Q8 45 TDI Platinum Edition - R1,968,700
• Q8 45 TDI Black Edition - R2,011,700
• Q8 55 TFSI Platinum Edition - R2,015,400
• Q8 55 TFSI Black Edition - R2,058,400
• SQ8 TFSI Quattro - R2,640,500
• SQ8 TFSI Black Edition - R2,675,500

Audi RS Q8 Performance R3,266,100

Bucket Seat: Audi RS Q3

2021 saw Audi launch a wide variety of their performance models locally, something that made people in the motoring fraternity froth at the mouth with the the possibility of sampling all these awesome models. Here in sunny Durban however we aren't spoiled like our counterparts in Cape Town and Johannesburg so we have to take what we get, hence when this car was scheduled for me to test, I got a bit giddy. You see when Audi launch an RS model, you know its special, apart from the immense power it will be housing, it will be loads of fun as well so when the all-new Audi RS Q3 in Turbo Blue, rolled into my driveway, it was only fair for me to give it a fun nickname, hence Sporty Smurf was what I came up with for obvious reasons. Audi launched the RS Q3 in two variants, the standard which I had and the Sportback model which essentially is the same in-terms of performance but has that slanted coupe style roof. Both equally impressive and very attractive, in both looks and pricing for what you get compared to their competition in the market. With this in mind, it was time to see how a car like this performed in real world conditions as well as every day life. 

DESIGN

I spoke at length in my review of the Audi Q3 in terms of its new design and how much more better and mature it is to the older model, so taking that and making it more aggressive for the RS model was not a difficult task for the Audi designers. With its lowered stance thanks to an extended front bumper and side sills give the car a more staunch stance, the front bumper has larger air intakes on the sides while the main grille is completely blacked out with a honeycomb pattern, the added front splitter at the bottom gives the front end a great contrast between the dark and the bright. The Audi badges have also been finished off in gloss black, this includes the rings and nameplates, but this is a R5,800 option. Another option extra was the 5V spoke 21-inch rims in black, I must add these blacked out options contrasted beautifully on the bright Turbo Blue metallic paint and may get drowned out on darker colours. The rear diffuser follows the normal RS trend with the highlighted extrusions at the tailpipes which are also finished off in black. While these are dual pipes they are huge, dual tailpipes with plenty of volume. The Audi Q3 matrix LED lights both in the front and the back deserve a mention as they create a stunning look for the car with their design.  The interior has been upgraded to suit the Audi Performance style, with great looking sports seats finished off in leather and alcantara and has a honeycomb stich in blue with the RS logos embossed on the seats. There is a lovely play on materials in the cabin to give the car that sporty look and feel which will be discussed later in the review.

 

PERFORMANCE

Unlike the menacing V8 in RS6 Avant I drove in Cape Town, this RS Q3 features a slightly motor, this one being the 2.5L Twin-Turbo 5-cylinder which is menacing in its own right. The 5-pot delivers 294kW and 480Nm of torque! It is a heck of fun to drive and is rather throaty, couple with the 7-speed S Tronic gearbox with paddle shifts, it makes this heavy SUV feel like a hot hatch. 0-100km/h takes just 4.5 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h however this one did come with the option to increase the top speed to 280km/h, not that I could ever achieve that on normal roads. When it comes to average fuel consumption, I don't feel its appropriate to discuss this on high-end performance models like this as it depends purely on driving styles but seeing that the price of fuel has sky rocketed to astronomically figures of late, it is good to note that driving around urban areas in eco mode I did manage to achieve a healthy average of 8.1L per 100km which is pretty decent seeing that I was hitting over 12 for most of my time with it. It has a 60L tank which you can finish in about 350km if you're going pedal to the metal in dynamic mode. Like all of Audi's performance models, the RS Q3 comes with Quattro four-wheel drive so keeping this large SUV planted isn't difficult, the car is rooted to the tarmac and seems at home when navigating the bends. Just to test the SUV nature of the vehicle I took it on some light gravel trails and it faired impressively well even with the 21-inch rims. 

COMFORT

   

I spoke about the sportiness of the cabin as well as the sport seats but while these do have side supports and large head rests, they are super comfy and can be heated as an option. They are fully electric adjustable with memory settings should anyone interfere with your preferred seating style. The cabin came with three-zone climate control which is an extra, usually its just a dual-zone system. Other extras included Audi's phone box package, 360 degree cameras, panoramic glass sunroof and 12V outlet as well as twin USB ports for the rear passengers. The ride quality is faultless, give its on harder suspension and bigger rims, it is still pretty comfy. A reason for this is Audi's adaptive chassis control with Audi drive select that ensures the cars stability and automatically changes to suit its environment. Safety wise, Audi has given its usual list of options which include lane departure warning which has lane change assist and include side assist, it has adaptive cruise control with pre send front collision which warns you if the car in front of you is slowing down. While driving a performance model like this, its quick to forget its actually a practical family SUV with more than enough room for 4 grown adults with a luggage capacity of 530L, so perfect for weekend getaways or long holidays on the road. 

VERDICT

Overall, the Audi RS Q3 takes off from its predecessor as being a practical, affordable performance SUV. It offers all the comfort as the usual Q3 but with the sportiness you'd want from a car like this. While with the increasing price of fuel, if you want a justification into buying a car of this nature, apart from driving it to seeing what you will be getting I feel the RS Q3 offers the perfect balance of practicality of a medium sized family SUV with the same performance you're getting from an Audi TT RS. It's the smallest engine offered in the RS range so you're not going to be taking out loans to fill this one up all the time and while you spend time with it, you get to learn how the car reacts to your driving styles and you will find the sweet spot to give you optimal fuel usage and still enjoy the engine for what it is. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.5L 5-cylinder Turbo
Gear Box	7-Speed S Tronic
Torque	480Nm
Power	294kW
Top Speed	250km
Price	R1,094,000*

*Price test at R1,286,880

  

Bucket Seat: 2021 Audi S3

Not too long ago Audi South Africa launched their all-new A3 models in the country in the form of the Sportback and Sedan, along with the TFSI models they also launched one of two performance engines, the S3. The A3 has always been a popular model for the local market as it  served a unique space as a luxury hatchback for people who were transitioning from a normal hatch but were not quite ready for a big sedan, yes eventually Audi did launch a sedan version of the A3 which also proved to be quite a success and added a niche to the market of a small to medium sedan that offered luxury and comfort that one would normally associate with large cumbersome models. This was a very attractive option for the youth and young adults. With the introduction of the new model featuring a lot of design enhancements, I was looking forward to getting the new A3 but as luck would have it, I got handed the keys to the S3 Sportback for a week first, here is my take on this new performance hatch from the German brand. 

DESIGN

It's a show stopper, yes there are key design elements from the outgoing model but while it is distinctively an A3 its grown and matured into something more special. Lets start of with the headlamps as Audi are forever coming up with the coolest tech for their lighting systems, this one comes with the new Matrix LED headlamps with the grid like design below which give you quite an entertaining show when unlocking the car. If you've seen videos of the RS3 online you will know of the special greeting it gives you when unlocking that one, this one doesn't spell out S3 but its cool enough. The car has definitely grown in size, not by much but the Audi designers make it seem that way with bolder accents, a bigger grille, more flared arches and openings. Being the S3 it has a more sportier look that the normal A3, larger 19-inch Audi Sport rims and a rear diffuser that many won't mind seeing as it will be passing most cars on the road with ease. When it comes to the interior, I wish they had awards for this kind of stuff because what this brand is doing with their interiors at the moment deserves some recognition. Its just pure class, the layout, the design, the look and feel is just immaculate. I cannot fault one aspect of it. 

PERFORMANCE

Right, the main reason you are all here reading through my nonsense, you want to know how that 2L TFSI motor performs. Looking at the figures, it's pretty impressive with an 213kW output and 400Nm of torque, claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds is fast but trust me, I think it's faster. When put into dynamic mode this car is a beast, the tone of the exhaust changes, the car feels more sharper and rigid, looking to take on the next corner with that Quattro system we've all come to know and love. It has an electronically limited top-speed of 250km/h which I never got close to but the rate this car accelerates, it won't take you that long to max out. The S Tronic automatic gearbox works so well that I hardly found the need to swop over to the paddles when driving, speaking of gearbox, Audi have opted to go the Porsche route with the gear selector to a tiny little switch, that's the best way I can describe it but it works, takes some getting used to but like I said, it works. While my first 380km had the tank dry, I got the opportunity for a long drive with the S3 which saw me do 625km in a day. I was dreading the trip as all I thought about was filling this car up two-three times but slapped it into cruise control, and let the car do its thing. The S3 gave me an average of 8.4L per 100km, I was blown away as I did the entire journey on one tank of fuel. So it goes to show, drive the car like a sensible person and you can get good economy on a performance hatch. 

COMFORT

The Audi S3 comes with sport seats finished off in some fancy stitching which was in red to accentuate the cars sporty nature, it even has "S" logo stitching in just below the headrest. This diamond stitching is continued in the back seat which are also bucket type to keep your occupants intact while you're flying around. As mentioned, the design of the interior is top notch with everything more driver focused, the virtual cockpit is upgraded giving the driver a lot more viewing options and display options, the multi-function steering with the signature flat bottom ensures that you're comfortable steering the car with everything within finger tip reach. The new infotainment touch screen that has Audi Connect and the latest MMI interface is brilliant and easy to use but if you like me, prefer to use the mobile applications like Car Play or Android Auto, then you won't need to worry about that too much. The driver and front passenger enjoy dual zone climate control while the rear gets single zone AC but with dual USB C slots for mobile phone charging. There is a wireless charger up front as well as dual USB C ports for driver and passenger. The panoramic sunroof is an option I've learnt to love over the time of testing cars, this one is rather large giving plenty of natural light into the cabin. 

VERDICT

This car really exceeded my expectations of it, while stylish and sporty it really can be a practical daily driver. The lines are sharp and engaging, the tech this car comes with it on par of what many would expect in higher end models so its nice to see Audi offering it through-out their line of cars. It's a stunning vehicle that I thoroughly enjoyed driving. The noise levels on this model is just right, not too harsh or loud that would have angry Karen's coming to knock on your window telling you that you're causing a disturbance. In the back of my head, I'm still thinking if the performance of this car is so great, what will the upcoming RS3 be like? Well I have to wait till next year to experience that, for now I'm quite happy with this S3. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L TFSI
Gear Box	7- Tronice
Torque	400Nm
Power	213kW
Top Speed	250km
Price	R792,200*

*Base Price, model test at R1,000,300

 

Bucket Seat: Audi Q7 45 TDI

When it comes to large premium family SUV's, there are quite a few to options available on the market but in terms of practicality, and pricing there tends to be tight competition especially when it comes to the 7-seater variety. One of the "OG's" in the segment is Audi's Q7 and they have a new one which I got to sample not too long ago. It came in the perfect time as I planned a long distance weekend away with family and if you know Indian families, this was going to be the ultimate test for a vehicle like this. While I've seen many Q7s on the road, from the first generation to the current. this was the first time I would be driving one, to say I was looking forward to getting behind the wheel of it is an understatement. The first thing that captivates you is the size of it, you know its big but Audi have done so well with the design that not until you're standing right next to one do you realise the sheer size of this thing. Anyway, lets dive into the review. 

DESIGN

As mentioned above, Audi's design is one that actually masks the size of the car while most of the other manufactures highlight it in theirs. Personally I think this is a good thing on Audi's part as while the car does look smaller it isn't small at all, there's tons of space as I will digress on later. As always with Audi's revised models, the design changes aren't drastic but noticeable. Keeping in with the latest design language, the cars standout feature in the new headlamps which feature Audi's LED matrix light system which have the welcome and goodbye sequence which you can stand and watch all day long. The focal point being the large grille has all design element evolve from this point to all around the car. The large air intakes either side of the grille enhance the cars sporty kit, of which this model was in the S Line guise. So with this there is added elements of black coming through strong in the design with trimmings along the side and on the front and rear bumpers. The rear lights also have been redesigned and feature a sold chrome bar that runs horizontally along the back. The dual exhaust pipes have openings on either side of the rear difusser. With the S Line kit, the car comes kitted with a rear spoiler which follows the roof line and mimics the shape. The S Line package also comes with large 21" multispoke alloy wheels which even make a subtle colour like white look sporty. 

PERFORMANCE

Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, the Q7 is no slouch even when carrying a full load. The motor produces 183kW with a max torque figure of 600Nm so there's plenty of propulsion power when needed. This is all fused to the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox which is effortless in search for the right gear to give you the optimal power required. The Quattro system works like a dream too by it delivery power to each wheel, no matter the terrain. Even with a full load and four passengers, I managed to get a decent average of 9.1-litres per 100km on my trip. This is with long distance drive from Durban to Joburg as well as mixed driving in urban surroundings. The Q7 performed sublimely on the open road, making use of the active cruise control on the longer distances, this is where the fuel saving came into effect as the car will judge on its own when to coast and when to brake or speed up. Given that there was a lot road works which meant the cruise control was working overtime with the lanes closing down to one at many occasions, it still did it without a fuss but this did play a big roll in the consumption aspect of it. While this is a big car, its performance figures are still reasonable with a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h. 

COMFORT

Where do I begin? The cabin is basically a carbon copy of the Q8 with the new MMI interface and dash layout but everything just feels a lot more roomy. This particular model came with the S Line interior which had the honeycomb styed stitched leather seats with the S Logo in the headrests. Piano black finish on the dash with that uber cool ambient lighting that just get better when the sun sets. The seats are super comfy with the front passenger and driver getting seat heating, dual climate control which is controlled by the touch screen below the infotainment screen. The instrument cluster featured Audi's virtual cockpit which should be a ticked option in my books for any of the new Audi models, I will always maintain that if you have the virtual cockpit there is no need for the heads-up display but in any case, this model had that too. The second row had sporty style seats as well but not bucket type which meant you can get 3 adults to sit comfortably in the back. They also get dual climate control aircons in the back along with twin USB ports to charge phones. There is an option for a third row of seats which are electronically controlled from the interior or the boot. We never made use of these but I did test them out, which it is a bit tricky getting in, when seated its not terrible for short distances but perfect for kids. 

TECHNOLOGY

The Q7 is packed with tech, as mentioned it features Audi's latest MMI user interface, while the model still doesn't have Audi Connect, I think it will be introduced soon. The active cruise control was a winner for me, you can set the distance of the braking and there after reduce it which came essential in cases where the lanes were reduced to one. You don't want to have it set to too close especially when doing high speeds as the car will brake in time but your passengers wont appreciate it. The Q7 also came with a 19-speaker Bose sound system which included a large subwoofer in the boot floor.  With the size of the Q7 being rather big, it came with auto-park assist which means it parks itself. I tested this out in the busy street of Florida Rd in Durban and it worked like a charm, not only finding a spot quickly but also getting itself in perfectly without making the traffic agitated for waiting too long. I guess people thought I was a natural at this but all along it was the car that did it for me. The car also has an automatic tailgate which is standard with models like this, it also came with an automatic tow hitch which folds in when not in use. The MMI interface has Android Auto and Car Play built in to make an easy plug and play setup. There is only USB C inputs for the driver to make sure you have the right cable. Wireless charging mat is also in the hand rest compartment. 

VERDICT

Overall, the Q7 over delivered on my expectations, to say I was spoilt when driving up was an understatement. While road works did put a spanner in the works to my consumption figures, at least I got to sit in comfort along the entire duration. With the luggage capacity being in excess of 2000 litres, you best believe my mom was happy with this, even after I loaded my golf bag in the back! While this is the only engine offered in the Q7 model, with the SQ7 being the next alternative, I think this is perfect for what it delivers. Definitely a perfect family SUV that offers premium benefits for the price you're paying. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0L V6 Quattro
Gear Box	8-Speed TipTronic
Torque	600Nm
Power	183kW
Economy	8.0L per 100km
Price	R1,388,500*

*base price