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2020 Audi RSQ8 Review
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2020 Audi RSQ8 Review

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December 20,2020
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6 min read

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The car above is the Audi RSQ8, it is the most expensive RS model made by Audi and it is essentially an SUV with A8 levels of luxury and R8 levels of performance. Sounds unbelievable? Well, let’s jump right into the review and find out if it is worth its hefty price tag.

Drive

Audi RSQ8

Being the most expensive RS model currently on sale, Audi hasn’t left any stones unturned. They have put their heart and soul into it and the results are simply breathtaking. With 600 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, the RSQ8 does things no SUV should be able to do.

For instance, it does 0-100km/h in just 3.8-seconds, shaming supercars that cost twice as much. It has a top speed of 280km/h, making it faster than some of the best-known sports cars on the market. It will also kick its tail out and drift around corners, and trust me that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Audi RSQ8

Unlike its competitors, the RSQ8 doesn’t feel like Audi just took a standard Q8, shoved more power into it, and pushed it out as a performance SUV. It feels like it was built to deliver a thrilling experience from the get-go and that is made possible through things like a dedicated RS mode button on the steering wheel, a sports exhaust system that sounds absolutely phenomenal, and a quick-shifting 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

For those of you who may not know what the Nürburgring is, it is essentially a race track in Germany that has become a proving ground for manufacturers to take their high-performance vehicles and show the world just how fast they really are. The Audi RSQ8 is currently the fastest production SUV around the Nürburgring and I know that might not make a lot of sense but let me put it into perspective.

Audi RSQ8

Around one of the most challenging circuits in the world, the Audi RSQ8 is 5 seconds faster than the Lamborghini Urus. It is 7 seconds faster than the Mercedes-Benz GLC63S. It is 9 seconds faster than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and it is 32 seconds faster than the Range Rover Sport SVR. That is how fast this SUV is.

The strange bit is that the Audi RSQ8 isn’t even the most powerful; in fact cars like the Lamborghini Urus have more horsepower and more torque but aren’t able to keep up. That’s because the Audi RSQ8 has the brand’s infamous Quattro All-Wheel-Drive system for immense grip. It has All-Wheel Steering for added agility, and it also has carbon-ceramic brakes that are really big and really strong.

Audi RSQ8

The best part of the RSQ8, however, is how quickly it can go from setting world records to the perfect family SUV. When you want to tone down the performance just that little bit, it has cylinder deactivation and a 48-volt mild hybrid system to save you fuel. It has acoustic glass that keeps the cabin as quiet as possible and then there are the adaptive dampers that make the ride as soft as possible. It’s perfect.

Interior

Audi RSQ8 Interior

When it comes to the interior, it’s quite similar to the A8 in terms of design and quality but since this is the “RS” model, it does get a few exciting additions. You’re looking at a flat-bottom steering wheel with RS badging, RS sports seats with red stitching, black Alcantara on the headliner, and carbon fiber inlays along with the dashboard and door panels.

In the back, there is far more space than you would expect to find in an SUV-Coupe. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom, and it’s great to see that the carbon fiber inlays and red stitching that start out in the front, continue into the second row as well. There is a 4-zone climate control system meaning the driver, front-seat passenger, and those in the back can set different temperatures for the AC system, in addition to 2 USB charging outlets and a few cup holders too.  

Features

Audi RSQ8

Being an Audi and a flagship model too, the RSQ8 is loaded to the brim with tech. Some of the most notable features are a 23 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that is so good I can almost guarantee it’s better than listening to your favorite artist perform live. There’s also a full-length panoramic roof, soft closing doors, and the brand’s Virtual Cockpit that converts the instrument cluster into a fully customizable digital display.

On the safety side of things, there’s everything from Adaptive Cruise Control and a speed limiter, to lane-keeping assist and a heads-up display. The most unique and fascinating feature, however, is the 3D parking assistant that uses numerous cameras around the vehicle to help make parking as easy as possible.

Exterior

Audi RSQ8

Now, some of you may agree with what I’m going to say next and some of you may disagree and that’s absolutely fine, but SUV Coupes like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe are just hideously ugly. Again, that’s just my opinion; I feel they look disproportionate, whereas this RSQ8 is stunning. It’s low, it’s wide, and it’s one of the very few cars that look brilliant in a color as dull and unexciting as silver!

Sure the design hasn’t got as much drama as a Lamborghini Urus but because it is the RS model and with a Carbon Fiber package, the RSQ8 gets a black grille, blackout Audi badge, a lower splitter than the standard car, and carbon fiber around the grille. Along the sides, there are 23-inch alloy wheels that hide red brake calipers behind them, and side skirts to improve aerodynamics.

In the back, there’s an extended spoiler, a big diffuser, and oval exhaust pipes which are a signature of Audi’s RS models. For those who are concerned with practicality, boot space measures in at 605 liters which is more than the BMW X6 but smaller than the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and there is the option to raise and lower the car from the boot itself to make loading that little bit easier.

Verdict

Audi RSQ8 Back

For 550,000 Dirhams, you can drive home a brand new Audi RSQ8, but spec it out like our test car with carbon fiber, ceramic brakes, and every safety system under the sun and you’ll very quickly be touching 685,000 Dirhams. Is it worth it? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. But if I had 685,000 Dirhams to spend on an Audi, I’d probably pick an R8 instead, but then again that’s just my personal preference. Let me know which you would have in the comments below. Also, if you are on the lookout for the best car insurance quotes that will save you time and money, check out InsuranceMarket.ae™

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