Bucket Seat: Audi SQ5

The Audi SQ5 is a high-performance luxury SUV that combines athletic dynamics with everyday practicality. With most of the performance Range from Audi being headlines by the RS model, many wonder why with the Q5, Audi stopped with the S? Well, I think they took a smart approach to this, while there is a RSQ3 which we've seen is quite popular in the market, with the SQ5 coming with a 3.0-liter V6 delivering adequate power to this impressive SUV, making it a bit mot faster and louder might not appeal to the target market which it is aimed at, that is a family and recreational vehicle. I had the opportunity to spend some time with the Audi SQ5 on a recent trip to Cape Town, with my family so I got to put it through the test for what it's meant for, a practical family SUV with a big of oomph. So here are my thoughts on it. 

DESIGN

The Audi SQ5 has a striking yet elegant design that reflects its performance-oriented nature. Its sporty stance is complemented by distinctive Audi styling cues and subtle S-specific details. The front fascia features a bold Singleframe grille with a honeycomb pattern and aluminum-look accents. Aggressive LED Matrix headlights (with optional laser lighting) and sharp air intakes further enhance the sporty aesthetic. The SQ5 sits on stylish 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim, with optional red brake calipers hinting at its performance potential. Subtle side skirts and chrome or black-out trims (available with the Black Optic package) add a sleek, purposeful look. Quad exhaust outlets, an integrated roof spoiler, and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals give the rear end a sporty yet refined appearance.

PERFORMANCE

The SQ5 delivers an exhilarating drive, powered by a robust engine and supported by advanced chassis technologies. The SQ5 comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 260kW and 500Nm of torque. Paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, the SQ5 accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds, making it one of the quicker SUVs in its segment. Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, offering excellent grip and handling in various road conditions. The torque vectoring system enhances cornering stability and agility. The adaptive air suspension is standard on higher trims and available as an option, allowing drivers to adjust ride height and firmness. This setup provides a perfect balance of comfort for daily commutes and stiffness for spirited driving. Audi Drive Select offers multiple driving modes (Comfort, Dynamic, Individual, Offroad) to tailor the vehicle’s performance characteristics. Given its performance, the SQ5 offers respectable efficiency with a combined fuel economy of 9.2L per 100km. With it being in dynamic driving mode for most of the time of my visit, that figure was slightly higher at 11.7L per 100km which wasn't that bad considering most of my driving was short distance routes. 

COMFORT

The SQ5’s cabin showcases Audi’s hallmark craftsmanship, blending premium materials, advanced technology, and sporty accents. Sport seats with fine Nappa leather upholstery and diamond stitching are standard. They're well-bolstered for spirited driving yet comfortable enough for long trips. Front seats are heated, ventilated, and offer massaging functions on higher trims. The interior feels spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats slide and recline for added comfort. Cargo capacity is practical for its class, offering 500 liters of space with the seats up, expandable to 1,520 liters with the rear seats folded. The SQ5 interior is sporty and luxurious, featuring brushed aluminum or optional carbon fiber inlays, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and ambient lighting with customizable colors. The SQ5 excels in delivering a refined and dynamic driving experience. The suspension absorbs road imperfections with ease in Comfort mode, while Dynamic mode tightens things up for more enthusiastic driving. The steering is precise and responsive, though it lacks some of the feedback purists might desire. Body roll is minimal, and the SQ5 feels planted during high-speed cornering. Audi equips the SQ5 with its latest MMI (Multi Media Interface) system, which is intuitive and feature-rich. A 10.1-inch touchscreen takes center stage, paired with the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Virtual Cockpit provides customizable displays, including navigation, performance metrics, and media information. Standard Apple CarPlay (wireless), Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Audi Connect services ensure seamless connectivity. A Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is available for audiophiles. Physical buttons for climate control provide ease of use, while a rotary touchpad offers additional input options for the infotainment system. Some of the key safety features that is is included with the SQ5 are Audi pre sense basic and pre sense city (automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection), lane departure warning, and a rearview camera.  Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system enhance safety and convenience.

VERDICT

The Audi SQ5 is a near-perfect blend of luxury, practicality, and performance. It’s ideal for those who want a sporty driving experience without sacrificing everyday usability. Whether you're navigating city streets, tackling a mountain road, or cruising on the highway, the SQ5 delivers with poise and confidence. For buyers seeking a versatile luxury SUV that’s as thrilling to drive as it is comfortable to live with, the Audi SQ5 is a compelling choice. When compared to its rivals, the Audi SQ5 might seem a bit dated but seeing that the new Q5 has broken cover, the new one should be hot on the heels of that as well but for that, we will have to probably wait a year or two for it to reach our shores. 

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0L Turbo Petrol V6
Gear Box	8-speed TipTronic
Torque	500Nm
Power	260kW
Fuel Consumption	9.2L per 100km
Price	R1,541,000

 

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: Audi RS3

 

Earlier this week Audi lifted the covers off its latest RS3 Sportback and Sedan. Audi claim these latest renditions of its ever popular mid-size performance cars are the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed. They may have a point seeing that the claimed 0-100km/h time is just under the 4 second mark, coming in 3.8 seconds. The Audi RS3 is powered by a 2.5 TFSI engine, boasting 294kW and 500Nm of torque which explains that quick off the line speed to achieve that 0-100km/h time. The cars come standard with the RS dynamic package plus which includes and adaptive suspension with damper control and ceramic brakes. Top speed on the RS3 is capped at 290km/h, all this equates to the RS3 being the best in it class and mentioned before. 

Looks wise, the cars look magnificent, sticking to that new Audi design language with that aggressive look and stance, bight bold launch colours in Kyalami Green and Tangor Red with other eye catching colours available such as Turbo Blue, Python Yellow, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Kemora Grey as well as Daytona Grey which has a pearlescent finish. The roof of the Audi RS3  Sedan can also be ordered in the contrasting Brilliant black for the first time. The cars come standard with 19-inch10-Y spoke design rims wrapped around 265/30 at the front and 245/35 at the rear, The RS Performance mode is specially calibrated to the Pirelli P Zero "Trofeo R" semi-slick tyres which are optionally available factory mounted for the first time. 

Overall this new RS3 is punching big numbers for its price group and with competitors with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A45S AMG in its sights, this definitely will be one to beat. Everything about this car seems well thought out and packed with performance elements from head to toe, its something that Audi has been doing right in the last 3-4 years and its great to see it translate into all models in their range and not just the higher end models. No exact date as to when the new RS3 will reach our shores locally but with the new A3 launching next week, it shouldn't be too long before we see these beasts on our roads. 

Bucket Seat: Audi RS Q8

The most powerful SUV Coupe from Audi has touched down in South Africa, while that opening line may have been copied straight from the press release, its no word of lie and boy is this thing something. The Audi RS Q8 is a beast of an SUV, its blistering fast, so much so it's holds the fastest time around the holy grail of race tracks the Nurburgring lapping it at 7 minutes, 42.253 seconds. That is faster than a Renault Megane Trophy R which I had on test last year and thought it was ballistic! Powered by a 4.0L V8 engine with mild hybrid tech, punching out 441kW and 800Nm, it punishes the tarmac wherever it goes. The turbocharged petrol engine has direct injection which propels the massive SUV from a stand still to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds, then pushes on to 200km/h in 13.7 seconds. The RS Q8 tops out at 250km/h which is the electronically governed limit but can be extended to 280km/h should you want at an extra cost. 

For me, personally the Q8 is the most visually pleasing SUV Coupes on the market, while it shares many similarities to the Lamborghini Urus, for me this car just does more at a less price. Being an RS model, it comes kitted out in the complete sports trimmings from the dual exhaust system with oval tailpipes on each side, to the lowered body and extended skirts and bumpers with large air-intakes, not forgetting the huge 23-inch aluminum 5 Y-spoke wheels which shield the massive brake discs. The car is unmistakably sporty, and if you see one coming up in your rearview mirror, chances are it will be there and gone before you can move into the next lane. It's imposing and brash, which makes it more better to love. With Audi's theatric light display on lock and unlocking the car, it provides entertainment while its standing still too.

With all-wheel drive and an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox, coupled with a pure mechanical center differential, ensures power delivery in a 40:60 ratio to the front and rear axles, provides the necessary power to drive the RS Q8 at the limits. It has five-link construction at the front and rear axels which handle longitudinal and lateral forces separately. The linkages and the sub frames are made largely of aluminum. The optimal electromechanical active roll stabilization EAWS minimizes body roll during fast cornering. This gives the driver the confidence and ability to tackle bends are higher speeds while exiting. It's one thing having the power to do these things but when the car doesn't make you feel comfortable doing it, it automatically deters the driver, but you will have no such worries with the RS Q8. 

The Audi RS Q8 launches this week along with a whole range of other performance models such as the RS6, RS7, TT RS and not forgetting the R8 and R8 Spyder. We were meant to go sample these beauties in Sandton today but alas, it wasn't in the stars but hopefully they will make their way to the shores of KZN where we can put them through their paces on the coast. The RS Q8 is available from 1 April and is priced at R2,354,500 and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan.