- 2020 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 boast twin-turbo V8 with more than 450 hp
- Standard all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering
- Will arrive in Canada in 2020
The flood gates have opened regarding performance-oriented Audi models, as the new 2020 Audi SQ7 and its equally potent brother 2020 Audi SQ8 will hit Canadian dealerships over the course of the new year.
We weren’t expecting these two new models to arrive in the North American market. As a matter of fact, their European equivalents are equipped with diesel engines, which have little to no future on this side of the pond, aside from powering pickups and heavy trucks.
The 2020 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 will be motivated by a twin-turbo, 4.0-litre V8 that develops upwards of 450 horsepower, although final specifications have yet to be published on Audi Canada’s website. An eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive will also be on board.
In contrast, the European SQ7 and SQ8’s 4.0-litre, turbo-diesel V8s produce 429 hp (320 kW, 435 PS) and 664 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a 0-100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
As is the case with the 2021 Audi RS Q8 and the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant we recently drove, the SQ7 and SQ8 feature an adaptive suspension and all-wheel steering. A 48-volt mild hybrid system that brings seamless automatic start/stop and enough juice to power an Active Body Control system, which is part of the optional Dynamic plus handling package. A set of 21-inch wheels are standard, while 22 inchers are also available.
The SQ7 and SQ8 obviously include the usual styling and trim details specific to the brand’s performance models, such as the silver mirror caps, the more aggressive bumpers and the quad exhaust outlets. A Black Optics package adds a glossy black grille, window surrounds and roof rails. Inside, the shapely sport seats feature leather upholstery with quilted pattern stitching.
Rivals include the 456-hp BMW X5 xDrive50i, the 483-hp Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4MATIC and the 518-hp Range Rover Sport Supercharged. Pricing for the 2020 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 hasn’t yet been announced, but we’re expecting them to start at between $90K and $100K.
