The Audi SQ7 and SQ8 could gain petrol V8 power in Australia.
“We’re looking at SQ7 and SQ8 TFSI for possible introduction in 2022,” an Audi Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.
The spokesperson said petrol versions of the SQ7 and SQ8 would likely replace the existing turbo-diesel V8 models, should they make it over.
Revealed last year, the SQ7 TFSI and SQ8 TFSI swap out the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel and e-compressor for a detuned version of the RSQ8’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol.
The petrols put out 373kW and 770Nm, compared the 320kW and 900Nm quoted by the TDI versions.
Audi claims the SQ7 TFSI and SQ8 TFSI can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds, 0.7 seconds quicker than the diesel.
Drive is sent to a quattro all-wheel drive system through an eight-speed ‘tiptronic’ automatic transmission with torque converter.
Cylinder-on-demand technology also means the SUVs can run on four cylinders under low load to save fuel.
Audi has employed several methods to get all that grunt to the road while maintaining a luxurious feel.
Firstly, there’s “two mode-controlled actuators [that] modulate the eight-cylinder sound”, while coils in the active engine mounts to cut vibrations through the vehicle’s body by generating counter-vibrations.
There’s also all-wheel steering which turns the rear wheels by as much as give degrees in the opposite direction under 60km/h for improved agility, and turns them “slightly in the same direction” above 60km/h for enhanced stability.
Also standard is electro-mechanical active roll stabilisation – motor-driven stabilisers on each axle – as well as the quattro sport differential which vectors torque between the rear wheels for better handling and grip.
In Europe the SQ7 and SQ8 petrols come standard with 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheels respectively, with styles up to 22-inches and 23-inches available as options.
Stopping power is proved by 400mm front discs with ‘S’ calipers, while carbon-ceramic brakes are also optional.
Pricing for the current SQ7 TDI and SQ8 TDI starts at $161,500 and $166,500 respectively, both before on-road costs. We’d expect the petrols to list for similar coin should they become available.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest, and let us know in the comments whether you prefer petrol or diesel power for the SQ7 and SQ8.
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